Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help someone that may not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish drug or alcohol abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that may have prompted and led to their substance abuse problems. Establishing the reality that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and the way to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process than the usual typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis might need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which might include proper medical support as well as continued treatment services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual will have to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in fact many people with a dual diagnosis experience much better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.