Dual diagnosis is 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 an individual who might not have been capable of being helped during the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.