Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may not have been able to be helped before, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.