Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might not have been capable of being helped in the past, stop drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better determine what caused their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.