Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.