Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often 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 previously, put an end to substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.