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 might help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.