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 an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.