Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped before, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.