Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped in the past, finish drug abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what led to their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.