Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help someone that may not have been able to be helped before, stop substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the future. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is employed.