Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, 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 during the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.