Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person 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 may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could 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 efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.