Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, put an end to drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.