Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to drug abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact 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 led to their drug use and the way to prevent it in the future. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.