Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.