Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, stop substance abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.