Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, end drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply 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 results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.