Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, finish substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support along with further rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.