Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have prompted and resulted in 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 know what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support along with continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.