Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as further treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.