Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to 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 appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.