Dual diagnosis can be a situation whereby two independent disorders are present, 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 able to be helped in the past, end substance abuse by being accurately diagnosed and helped. Their mental health disorder could have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or mistreated that could have prompted and led to their drug or alcohol use issues. Establishing the fact someone is actually a dual diagnosis client not simply helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better know what triggered their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Addressing dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process compared to a typical drug rehab program, and individuals who have a dual diagnosis may need to take part in an extensive aftercare program that might include proper medical support as well as continued rehab services. Being identified as having co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated through out their lives either, and in reality many individuals who have a dual diagnosis experience more effective outcomes when treated holistically and when alternative treatment solutions are employed.