Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, end substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.