Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.