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 may help a person that may possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.