Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might not have been able to be helped during the past, finish substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.