Dual diagnosis can be a circumstance in which two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help a person that may not have been capable of being helped previously, end substance abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their drug use and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which might include proper medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.