Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might not have been capable of being helped previously, finish substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.