Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.