Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might not have been able to be helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered 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 folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.