Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and the way to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may 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 in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.