Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may not have been able to be helped during the past, end drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.