Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, finish substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.