Dual diagnosis is a situation in which two independent disorders are present, and most often describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis may help a person that may possibly not have been able to be helped before, put an end to drug or alcohol abuse by being correctly diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly that could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the truth that someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better determine what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it in the foreseeable future. Addressing dual diagnosis is often a more extensive process when compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to participate in an extensive aftercare program which may include proper medical support and also continued rehabilitation services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't signify the individual must be medicated for the rest of their lives either, and in reality many people with a dual diagnosis experience far better outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment methods are utilized.