Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.