Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate 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 should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.