Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might not have been able to be helped previously, stop substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Handling 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 take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support along with continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.