Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual should be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.