Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may not have been capable of being helped previously, end drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.