Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped in the past, end substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better determine what caused their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might be required to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support along with continued rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.