Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped during the past, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.