Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped before, end drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.