Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone who might not have been capable of being helped before, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.