Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, end substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.