Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped during the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling 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 which can include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.