Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis can help an individual who might possibly not have been capable of being helped before, put an end to drug abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated which may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but can also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people with a dual diagnosis might be required to participate in a substantial aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support in addition to continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't imply the person must be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and in reality many people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are utilized.