Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that may possibly not have been able to be helped before, end drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may 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 know what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.