Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.