Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone that might possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, end substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support along with further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.