Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.