Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped before, end substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.