Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, stop substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.