Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped previously, finish drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support as well as continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.