Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped before, finish substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.