Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that might not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.