Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone who might not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.