Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might not have been capable of being helped during the past, stop drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better know what caused their drug use and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also further rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.