Dual diagnosis is a circumstance whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help someone who may not have been able to be helped previously, put an end to substance abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis may be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which can include proper medical support and also further rehabilitation services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.