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 someone who might not have been able to be helped during the past, stop drug or alcohol abuse by being accurately diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder may have been misdiagnosed, not diagnosed at all, or mistreated that could have triggered and resulted in their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish a highly effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what triggered their drug abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which may include appropriate medical support and also continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the person should be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in fact lots of people who have a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.