Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.