Dual diagnosis is 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 can help a person that might not have been capable of being helped previously, end substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and led to their drug 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 determine what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.