Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop 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 treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.