Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that may possibly not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support in addition to continued rehabilitation services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.