Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped before, end substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.