Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may not have been able to be helped before, stop substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.