Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that may not have been capable of being helped during the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.