Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may not have been capable of being helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.