Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.