Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.