Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, finish substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have prompted and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and the way to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.