Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help an individual who may possibly not have been capable of being helped in the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better know what led to their substance abuse and the way to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support along with further rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many individuals with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.