Dual diagnosis is a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.