Reviewed byRinat Zhumabekov, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 21 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.3
- Who provides care
- The inpatient psychiatrist-addiction specialist (narcologist), with on-duty doctors and nurses around the clock
- Where
- The clinic’s inpatient unit in Almaty, with transport from the city and suburbs
- Duration
- Usually 3–7 days; longer if there are complications
- Anonymity
- A room under a name of your choice, no registry, medical confidentiality
- When it is urgent
- Seizures, psychosis, loss of consciousness, chest pain — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- A safe recovery from withdrawal and the start of addiction treatment
What you should know
There are calls after which I immediately tell the family: not at home — we are going to the inpatient unit. The person has been drinking for three weeks, has barely eaten, has diabetes, and last time started having “visions” on day three. Or an elderly man in a private house in Otegen Batyr with high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. Or a situation where there is no one nearby who can keep watch overnight. In such cases, a home IV drip is risky: the most dangerous part may begin a day later, when the doctor is no longer there.
We arrange the transfer to the clinic ourselves. From any district of Almaty — whether Medeu or Alatau — or from Kaskelen and Talgar, the person is brought in our own vehicle, without flashing lights and without drawing attention. On arrival, the on-duty doctor meets them, carries out an examination, and orders tests and treatment. Relatives receive a phone number where they can ask how the patient is doing, and a clear plan: how many days, what will happen, and when they can visit.
When Inpatient Detox Is the Right Choice
- the binge has lasted more than a week or happens several times a month
- seizures or alcohol withdrawal delirium have occurred during previous detoxes
- there is serious heart or liver disease, diabetes or epilepsy
- the person is exhausted, barely eats and is severely dehydrated
- sedatives or drugs were taken along with alcohol
- there is no adult at home who can keep watch around the clock
- several attempts at home detox have already ended in relapse
If heavy drinking has lasted more than two or three days, or there is shaking, vomiting, blood-pressure spikes or insomnia, you need a doctor rather than stopping alone. Phone advice is free. For seizures, confusion or hallucinations call 103 or 112.
Why It Is Sometimes Safer to Be Treated in a Clinic
Severe withdrawal does not develop immediately. The riskiest period is 24 to 72 hours after the last drink, when seizures or delirium may begin. At home during this time, only relatives are nearby, and they cannot always notice a deterioration in time. In an inpatient unit, the doctor sees the patient several times a day and a nurse is there constantly, so any change in condition is noticed right away.
Another reason is coexisting illness. Long-term alcohol use is often accompanied by problems with the liver, pancreas and heart, as well as electrolyte imbalances. In the inpatient unit, blood tests and an ECG can be done and treatment adjusted based on the results. Finally, the clinic removes access to alcohol and the surroundings that trigger relapse, which matters a great deal in the first sober days.
Inpatient Treatment Day by Day
Before admission, the doctor can talk with relatives by video, assess the situation and agree on a time for the transfer. On the day of admission: an examination, blood tests, an ECG, and the start of IV therapy and withdrawal treatment. On days 2–3, the main task is to get through the peak of symptoms calmly: monitoring blood pressure, sleep and the state of the nervous system. By days 4–5, the person is usually eating, sleeping and talking with a psychotherapist. Before discharge, there is a consultation with an addiction doctor and a plan for the coming months.
The clinic’s inpatient unit is not an intensive care unit. Severe delirium, breathing problems, coma, an acute heart attack or stroke, or gastrointestinal bleeding require a general hospital — call 103 or 112. Admission to our clinic is possible only voluntarily, with the patient’s consent; involuntary treatment can be ordered only by a court in the manner established by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
How we help
Assessment on admission
In the first hours, there is an examination, a complete blood count and blood chemistry panel, an ECG and, if necessary, other tests. This reveals what stays hidden at home: electrolyte disturbances, the state of the liver, signs of pancreatitis. Based on the results, the doctor adjusts treatment. If we find a serious physical health problem, we arrange a consultation with the relevant specialist or a transfer.
IV fluids and vitamin therapy
IV drips are given daily, and their volume and composition change according to test results and how the person feels. A mandatory component is replacing B vitamins, above all thiamine, to prevent neurological complications. Liver-protecting medications and drugs to support the heart and normalize sleep are prescribed when indicated, not according to a one-size-fits-all template.
Preventing seizures and delirium
If the person has risk factors, treatment is designed to prevent serious complications. In the inpatient unit, benzodiazepines are prescribed according to clinical withdrawal assessment scales, with breathing and consciousness monitored, and are tapered gradually. This approach is in line with international recommendations, including NICE guidelines, and the clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Starting addiction treatment
As soon as the acute symptoms pass, a psychotherapist joins the work. Conversations about what triggers the binges, what will help the person stay sober and how to handle the first weeks. A separate meeting is held with relatives. Before discharge, we discuss the options: outpatient follow-up, alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries) after the required period of sobriety, or rehab.
Myths and facts
MythAn inpatient unit is a mental hospital with bars on the windows
FactOur inpatient unit consists of rooms with round-the-clock medical monitoring, not a locked institution. The patient is there voluntarily and can stay in touch with loved ones, and most people say they expected something much worse.
MythAfter an inpatient stay, you will definitely be put on the registry
FactWith anonymous paid treatment, no state dispensary registration is made. You can be treated under a name of your choice, and information about the hospitalization is protected by medical confidentiality and is not passed on to either an employer or a local clinic.
MythIf home treatment helps, inpatient care is never needed
FactFor many people, home detox is safe. But with long binges, coexisting illnesses and a history of delirium, the risks at home are higher. Choosing where to be treated is a medical decision, not a matter of convenience.
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
| Inpatient detox (per day) | 35 000 ₸ |
| Inpatient stay, 3 days | 95 000 ₸ |
| Transport to the clinic | 10 000 ₸ |
| 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
In almaty you can get help at home, at one of our two branches (84 Zhandosova St., Almaty, 21 Seyfullina Ave., office 11, Almaty) or online if you need a consultation rather than a procedure. The dispatcher answers 24/7 and will tell you straight away which option is safest.
Confidential and private
in Almaty our doctor can come in ordinary clothes in an unmarked car. Treatment documents are given only to the patient. If you need a certificate or sick note, this is discussed separately and only at your request.
Questions and answers
How many days will the person need to stay?
Most often 3 to 7 days. A short binge without complications sometimes requires 2–3 days, while a long and severe one may require up to 10 days or more. The doctor decides on the length of stay based on the patient’s condition, focusing on when it is safe to go home rather than on a number of days agreed in advance.
How do we get the person to the clinic?
We come in our own vehicle with medical staff to any district of Almaty and to the suburbs. The vehicle has no identifying markings. If the person refuses to go, we cannot take them by force, but the doctor will try to calmly explain why it matters.
Can we visit the patient?
Yes, after the first 24 hours, once the most acute period has passed, and by arrangement with the attending doctor. Relatives can call every day to ask how the patient is doing. We consider meetings with the family an important part of treatment and hold them together with a psychotherapist.
What should we bring to the inpatient unit?
Comfortable clothes, slippers, toiletries, a phone charger, a list of the medications the person takes regularly, and discharge summaries about chronic illnesses. Alcohol and any medications not approved by the doctor must not be brought in — this is important for the patient’s own safety.
Do you admit patients at night and on holidays?
Yes, the Narcology 24 inpatient unit admits patients around the clock, seven days a week. At night and on holidays we also arrange transport, and the on-duty doctor carries out the admission examination on site. It is best to call ahead so that a room can be prepared for your arrival.
Is anonymity maintained in the inpatient unit?
Yes. You can be admitted under a name of your choice, without state dispensary registration. Information about treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System” and is disclosed only in cases expressly provided for by law.
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
