Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.