Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might not have been capable of being helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.