Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically 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, end substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.