Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.