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 someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, 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 that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.