Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who might possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.