Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might 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 might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what led to 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 participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.