Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may not have been able to be helped during the past, stop substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.