Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.