Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may not have been capable of being helped in the past, end drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality 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 led to their substance abuse and how 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 need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.