Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might not have been capable of being helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.