Dual diagnosis can be 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 an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.