Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped previously, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.