Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help someone that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse because they can be properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and resulted in their drug abuse issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what caused their drug abuse and how to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which can include appropriate medical support in addition to further treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and actually many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.