Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.