Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the truth that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what caused their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.