Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might not have been able to be helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.