Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who might not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.