Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have prompted and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how 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 take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.