Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who may possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug abuse by being correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.