Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish drug or alcohol 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 triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.