Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that 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 caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing 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 which can include appropriate medical support and also further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.