Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, end drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.