Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped in the past, stop substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may 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 a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.