Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might not have been able to be 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 may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.