Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might not have been capable of being helped in the past, finish substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not only helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable 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 proper medical support along with continued rehab services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person will need to be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are employed.