Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who might possibly not have been able to be helped previously, end substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment course for them, but can also help clients better determine what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support as well as further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person must be medicated through out their lives either, and actually many people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.