Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that may not have been capable of being helped previously, end drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is certainly a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what triggered their substance abuse and how to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.