Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, end drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.