Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.