Dual diagnosis is 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 a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, stop drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.