Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.