Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who may not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.