Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may not have been able to be helped previously, end substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just 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 later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.