Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.