Dual diagnosis can be a situation in which two independent disorders exist, and most typically describes a co-occurring drug or alcohol use and mental health disorder. A dual diagnosis might help a person that might possibly not have been capable of being helped previously, put an end to drug abuse by being properly diagnosed and treated. Their mental health disorder might have been misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or treated incorrectly which may have triggered and led to their substance abuse issues. Establishing the fact that someone is in fact a dual diagnosis client not merely helps establish an effective treatment plan for them, but will also help clients better determine what led to their drug use and ways to prevent it later on. Handling dual diagnosis may 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 a substantial aftercare program which might include appropriate medical support and also further treatment services. Being clinically determined to have co-occurring disorders doesn't mean that the person should be medicated for the remainder of their lives either, and actually lots of people with a dual diagnosis experience more effective results when treated holistically and when alternative therapy is utilized.