Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.