Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have prompted and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to take part in a substantial aftercare program that might include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and in fact many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.