Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped before, stop drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.