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 may help someone that may not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.