Dual diagnosis is 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 an individual who may not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will have to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.