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 a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.