Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to take part in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.