Reviewed byOlga Smirnova, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 27 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- Who provides it
- The addiction medicine doctor (narcologist) orders and interprets the tests; lab tests are done by a laboratory, and the ECG and ultrasound by the relevant specialists
- Where
- At the clinic, and partly at home during a mobile team visit (rapid tests, ECG, blood draw)
- Duration
- The basic set takes 1–2 days; results for most tests are ready within 1–3 days
- Anonymity
- Tests are registered under a first name or a code, with no state dispensary registry
- When it’s urgent
- Jaundice, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal or chest pain — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- A clear picture of organ health, any contraindications and a safe treatment plan
What you should know
The morning after a night call. The IV drip has helped, the man is asleep, and I am writing up my recommendations — and almost every time I write the same thing: get blood work done in the next few days. Relatives are surprised: why, if he’s already feeling better? Because from his face and blood pressure I can’t see that his liver enzymes are several times above normal, his blood sugar is jumping around and his potassium has dropped. It is exactly these numbers that determine whether treatment at home is possible and which medications are safe for this particular person.
A workup is not a formality before alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries), and it is not a test of honesty. It is a way to understand what we are really dealing with. Two people with the same history of binge drinking can be in completely different condition: one has a healthy heart, the other has an arrhythmia and early pancreatitis. For patients from Kaskelen or Konaev, we try to complete all the tests in one or two visits so that people don’t have to sit in traffic several times.
Who Especially Needs a Medical Workup
- binge drinking or regular substance use has been going on for more than a few years
- alcohol coding, an opioid blockade or medication support is being planned
- there is pain in the right side, heaviness after meals or a bitter taste in the mouth
- there are heart palpitations or skipped beats, shortness of breath, swelling or high blood pressure
- there have been seizures, head injuries or memory blackouts after drinking or using
- drugs have been used, especially by injection or in combination
- sleep and mood have worsened, or anxiety or irritability has appeared
If two or three points apply, it is worth seeing a doctor. Phone advice is free and confidential. If life is at risk, call 103 or 112.
Why Treating Addiction Without Lab Tests Is Risky
Alcohol and drugs damage several body systems at once. Alcohol causes fatty liver disease, hepatitis and cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias, and nerve damage. Opioids, stimulants and synthetic drugs put strain on the heart, the kidneys and mental health. Many of these changes go on for a long time without obvious symptoms. Without tests, a doctor might prescribe a medication that turns out to be dangerous in the presence of hidden liver or heart disease.
In addition, infections are common among people with addiction: hepatitis B and C and HIV, especially with injection drug use. Detecting them early matters both for the patient and for the family. International guidelines, including those from the World Health Organization (WHO) and NICE, make physical health assessment and infection screening part of the standard of care for addiction, not an optional extra.
How the Workup Works: From Consultation to Results
First, the addiction doctor holds a consultation — in person or by video — and draws up a list of tests tailored to the individual. At the clinic, blood is drawn on an empty stomach, an ECG is recorded and, if needed, an abdominal ultrasound is done. If the workup begins during a home visit, the team records the ECG and does a rapid test right in the apartment. Within 1–3 days, the doctor goes over the results and explains how they change the treatment plan.
Blood tests lose some of their diagnostic value immediately after a heavy binge, so some of them are repeated after 1–2 weeks of sobriety. The workup is not done on an outpatient basis if the person has acute abdominal pain, bleeding, jaundice, confusion or seizures: emergency hospital admission is needed, so call 103 or 112. For pregnant women and patients with serious chronic illnesses, the scope of testing is agreed with the relevant specialists.
How we help
Laboratory tests
A complete blood count; a metabolic panel with liver enzymes, bilirubin, protein, glucose, creatinine, electrolytes and lipase or amylase; and clotting tests. Certain markers help assess long-term heavy drinking. A urine test shows how the kidneys are working. The set of tests is chosen individually, so that nothing unnecessary is done but nothing important is missed.
Tests for psychoactive substances
Rapid urine tests detect the main groups of drugs and some medications. If needed, the results are confirmed in the laboratory. The test is not about punishment; it is about understanding which substances were involved and avoiding a dangerous combination with the medications used during detox. The results remain confidential medical information.
Instrumental diagnostics
An ECG reveals rhythm disturbances and signs of strain on the heart. An abdominal ultrasound shows the condition of the liver, pancreas and spleen. When indicated, liver elastography, an echocardiogram and consultations with a cardiologist, neurologist or gastroenterologist are ordered. All of this is especially important before alcohol coding and long-term medication support.
Mental health assessment
The addiction doctor and, if needed, a psychiatrist assess mood, anxiety, sleep, memory, any psychotic symptoms and suicide risk. Standardized questionnaires are used. Depression and anxiety disorders often accompany addiction and, if left untreated, raise the risk of relapse, which is why at Narcology 24 screening for them is part of the workup.
Myths and facts
MythIf nothing hurts, there’s no need for a workup
FactThe liver, pancreas and heart can be damaged for a long time without obvious pain. Abnormal test results are often found in people who consider themselves healthy. Early diagnosis makes it possible to adjust treatment in time.
MythDrug test results will be passed on to the police
FactTest results are protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” The clinic does not share them with the police, an employer or an educational institution, except in cases expressly provided for by law.
MythBefore coding, it’s enough just to stay off alcohol for a couple of days
FactBefore alcohol coding and blockers, a workup, an assessment of contraindications and the required period of sobriety — set by the doctor — are all needed. Skipping these steps is dangerous to health and can lead to severe reactions.
How a home visit works
- Call or message usThe dispatcher answers 24/7 and in 3–5 minutes checks the person's condition, age, how long the drinking or use has lasted, chronic conditions and the address. No surname needed.
- The doctor sets offAn addiction doctor or psychiatrist comes with equipment and medication. Travel time depends on the district — usually within an hour. If inpatient care or an ambulance is needed, we'll say so straight away.
- Examination and treatmentBlood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, blood sugar if needed and a neurological check. Then an IV drip or other treatment as indicated, 1–3 hours.
- A plan for the next daysAdvice for the family on what to do overnight and tomorrow, phone follow-up and a repeat visit if needed.
- Further treatmentCoding, psychotherapy, rehab or psychiatric follow-up — once the acute state has passed and the person is ready.
Prices in Almaty
| Online addiction doctor consultation | 10 000 ₸ |
| In-person addiction doctor consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Family consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Phone advice | free |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
“Assessment and tests for addiction” in Almaty is available 24/7, including weekends. Home visits: all city districts and nearby settlements. For appointments, Narcology 24 has two branches: 84 Zhandosova St., Almaty and 21 Seyfullina Ave., office 11, Almaty. If you live elsewhere in Almaty and Almaty Region, call us and we'll advise the fastest way to get help.
Confidential and private
Information about your request, diagnosis and treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. We do not share it with employers, schools, the police or neighbours; the only exceptions are those expressly set by law. A first name is enough to call us, and paid confidential treatment does not mean a registry entry.
Questions and answers
Which tests should be done for alcoholism?
Usually a complete blood count, a metabolic panel with liver enzymes, glucose, electrolytes and pancreatic markers, a urine test, an ECG and an abdominal ultrasound. When indicated, hepatitis and HIV markers and consultations with a cardiologist and neurologist are added. The doctor draws up the exact list after the consultation.
Can I get tested anonymously?
Yes. Tests and examinations are registered under a first name or a code, without a surname and without any state dispensary registry. The results go to you and your doctor. If you need a document for official purposes, it can be issued in your surname at your request.
Can I get tested at home?
Partly, yes. The team can draw blood, record an ECG and do a rapid test during a home visit. Ultrasound and some specialized tests are done only at the clinic or a diagnostic center. The doctor will advise you on how to combine tests to reduce the number of trips.
Is a workup required before alcohol coding?
Yes, it is mandatory. The doctor must make sure there are no contraindications: serious heart or liver disease or a mental disorder in the acute phase. The required period of sobriety is also important. At Narcology 24, coding and blockers are never carried out without a workup.
How many days after a binge should I get tested?
Emergency tests are done right away if the person’s condition is serious. To assess long-term changes, it is better to wait a few days of sobriety, and some markers are repeated after 1–2 weeks. Blood is best drawn in the morning on an empty stomach, with no alcohol or heavy food the night before.
Do you examine teenagers?
Yes, with the consent of a legal guardian and the teenager themselves, in accordance with the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The scope is tailored to the teenager’s age, and a pediatrician and psychiatrist are often involved. The results are discussed with the teenager and the parents with care, without pressure or shame.
Where do doctors visit in Almaty and where are the branches?
Home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements, 24/7. Appointments at two branches: 84 Zhandosova St., Almaty and 21 Seyfullina Ave., office 11, Almaty. Phone in Almaty: +7 (700) 309-29-88.
Sources and methodology
This page was prepared by the Narcology 24 medical editorial team based on:
- International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and ICD-11, World Health Organization
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- NICE (UK) guidelines on alcohol and drug misuse and mental health conditions
- WHO recommendations on the treatment of substance use disorders
This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Editorial policy
