Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.