Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, 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 before, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated which could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support and also further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the person will need to be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.