Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may not have been able to be helped previously, finish substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.