Dual diagnosis is a situation whereby two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis will help a person that might possibly not have been able to be helped during the past, finish drug abuse because they can be correctly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and resulted in their drug or alcohol use problems. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not just helps establish an efficient treatment plan for them, but could also help clients better understand what triggered their substance abuse and ways to prevent it down the road. Handling dual diagnosis might be a more extensive process than a typical drug rehab program, and individuals with a dual diagnosis might need to take part in an extensive aftercare program which can include proper medical support along with continued treatment services. Being diagnosed with co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the individual will have to be medicated through out their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience far better results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.