Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might possibly not have been capable of being helped before, finish drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support along with continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.