Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often denotes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might not have been able to be helped in the past, put an end to substance abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or treated incorrectly that may have triggered and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better understand what triggered their drug abuse and how to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis can be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and people who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support in addition to further rehab services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't imply that the individual should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience much better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.