Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone who might not have been able to be helped previously, stop substance abuse because they can be accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the fact that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but may also help clients better understand what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and folks with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in an extensive aftercare program that might include appropriate medical support as well as further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually a lot of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.