Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. 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 may include appropriate medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.