Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality 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 triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.