Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective course of treatment for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.