Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.