Medical detox for alcohol and drugs in Almaty

Reviewed byRinat Zhumabekov, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 21 years · updated 8 Nov 2026

Key facts

Who provides care

A psychiatrist-addiction specialist (narcologist); in the inpatient unit, a round-the-clock medical team

Where

At home in Almaty and the suburbs or in the clinic’s inpatient unit

Duration

From 1–2 days for alcohol to 7–10 days or longer for other substances

Anonymity

No registry; information protected by medical confidentiality

When it is urgent

Seizures, psychosis, loss of consciousness, depressed breathing — call 103 or 112

Outcome

Getting safely through withdrawal and moving on to addiction treatment

What you should know

The word “detox” is used everywhere these days — from juice bars to spas. In addiction medicine, it is a very specific medical procedure: treating withdrawal syndrome under a doctor’s supervision. When the dispatch center calls me and says “detox needed,” the first thing I ask is: from which substance, for how long, when was the last dose, and what else was taken with it. Everything depends on this — where to treat, for how many days, what the risks are and which medications will be needed.

A typical week for the on-call team shows just how different the situations can be. Tuesday evening: a man in the Bostandyk district after a ten-day binge, home detox over two visits. Friday night: a young man in the Nauryzbay district withdrawing from several substances — straight to the inpatient unit. Sunday: a woman from Konaev who wants to stop taking sleeping pills that were once prescribed “for a month.” Each person has their own plan, and there can be no template here.

When Medical Detox Is Needed

• the person regularly uses alcohol or drugs and has decided to stop
• when trying to stop, tremor, sweating, insomnia and anxiety appear
• seizures, hallucinations or confusion have occurred during past withdrawal
• several substances are being used at once, or alcohol together with pills
• long-term use of sleeping pills or sedatives without a doctor’s supervision
• alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries), an opioid blockade or rehab is planned and a “clean” start is needed
• attempts to stop on one’s own have 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.

What Happens During Withdrawal and Why You Need a Doctor

Long-term use changes how the nervous system works: it gets used to functioning in the presence of the substance. When the substance is suddenly gone, withdrawal syndrome sets in. With alcohol, this means tremor, blood pressure spikes and insomnia, and in severe cases seizures and delirium. With opioids, it means pain, sweating, diarrhea and intense anxiety. Stopping sedatives can cause seizures, which is why they are often tapered gradually rather than stopped all at once.

Detox has two goals: to ease suffering and to prevent dangerous complications. WHO and NICE emphasize that the choice of setting — home or inpatient — depends on the severity of the addiction, past complications, physical and mental health, and the support available at home. It is also important to be honest: detox does not treat the addiction itself. Without the next stages, relapse in the first few weeks is very common.

How we help

Myths and facts

How a home visit works

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Further treatmentCoding, psychotherapy, rehab or psychiatric follow-up — once the acute state has passed and the person is ready.

Prices in Almaty

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