Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than 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 as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.