Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped before, end substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.