Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that may not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug abuse issues. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what led to their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual must be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.