Dual diagnosis is 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 someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, end drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.