Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, finish drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. 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 actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.