Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that may not have been able to be helped in the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.