Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.