Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might not have been capable of being helped previously, end substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.