Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.