Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.