Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that may not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.