Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help an individual who may not have been capable of being helped during the past, finish substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug use and how to prevent it in the foreseeable 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 take part in a substantial aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.