Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may not have been able to be helped before, finish drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.