Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, stop drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.