Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that may not have been capable of being helped before, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.