Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.