Dual diagnosis can be 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 will help an individual who may not have been able to be helped before, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.