Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can 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 along with further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.