Reviewed byZhanar Tulegenova, MDPsychiatrist and psychotherapist, experience 18 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- Who provides care
- A psychotherapist or clinical psychologist; medication is prescribed only by a doctor
- Where
- A consulting room at the clinic in Almaty, online by video, group sessions
- Duration
- A session — 50–60 minutes; a course — usually 12–24 sessions, followed by ongoing support
- Anonymity
- Anonymous, with no registry entry; sessions are not recorded
- When it is urgent
- A binge with complications, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112; helpline 150
- Outcome
- Understanding the reasons for use, skills for coping with cravings and stress, and stable sobriety
What you should know
Told by the on-call doctor of our mobile team. My work happens at night: IV drips, blood pressure, observation. But I know very well that the most important part comes after me. An IV drip relieves withdrawal in a day or two, but why a person reaches for the bottle again and again after an argument with the boss or a call from an ex-wife — that is what a psychotherapist works on. The morning after a call, I usually leave the family a contact and say: “The first session should be in two or three days — don’t put it off.”
The first session is often held online: the person is still weak after the binge, and driving all the way across the city from the Turksib district to the center at rush hour is hard for them. The psychotherapist will ask not only about drinking or drug use but also about sleep, work, relationships, childhood, and past attempts to quit. This is not an interrogation but the drawing of a map that will guide treatment from then on. Importantly, a Narcology 24 psychotherapist does not prescribe medication — if it is needed, an addiction doctor or psychiatrist joins in, and everything is coordinated in a single plan.
When Addiction Psychotherapy Is Needed
- using alcohol or drugs as the main way to relieve stress, anxiety, boredom, or pain
- relapses after alcohol detox, “coding,” or drug detox
- guilt and shame that in themselves push the person toward using again
- family conflicts, broken trust, the threat of divorce
- addiction combined with depression, anxiety, or the aftermath of trauma
- a wish to quit without any idea of how to live without the substance
- gambling, internet, or prescription drug addiction, where work on behavior is key
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 Addiction Returns Without Psychotherapy
Addiction is not only physical dependence. A substance or gambling becomes a way to regulate emotions and to cope with stress, loneliness, and insecurity. When use stops, these problems do not go away — on the contrary, they become more acute. If the person has not found other ways of coping with them, cravings return, and relapse becomes a matter of time.
International guidelines, including those of NICE and the WHO, recommend psychosocial interventions as the foundation of addiction treatment, often combined with medication support. Psychotherapy helps identify personal triggers, change the beliefs that sustain use, rebuild relationships, and learn to enjoy a sober life. The effect builds up gradually, which is why regular sessions matter.
How a Course of Psychotherapy Works
The first session lasts 60–90 minutes, in person or online: the psychotherapist takes a history, assesses motivation, co-occurring problems, and relapse risk, and, if needed, recommends a consultation with an addiction doctor or psychiatrist. Goals are set together. After that, sessions take place once a week, possibly more often at the start. Between sessions, the patient does assignments: keeping a craving diary and trying out new skills. Every 4–6 sessions, the goals are reviewed. Loved ones can join separate family sessions.
Psychotherapy cannot be carried out effectively while a person is intoxicated or in acute withdrawal — detox is needed first. Psychosis, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, seizures, and delirium require medical care, and if there is a threat to life — 103 or 112. Online sessions are not suitable if there is no way to talk confidentially at home or if the person regularly comes to sessions under the influence.
How we help
Cognitive behavioral therapy
One of the most studied methods for addiction. The patient learns to track the connection between situations, thoughts, emotions, and use, to identify automatic thoughts such as “I need to unwind,” and to replace them with other actions. Skills for saying no, managing stress, and preventing relapse are practiced. A course usually consists of 12–20 sessions.
Motivational interviewing
A method for those who are unsure whether anything needs to change. The psychotherapist does not persuade or argue, but helps the person weigh the pros and cons of using and strengthen their own reasons for change. It is especially useful at the start of treatment and when the person has come at the family’s insistence. It can be delivered in just a few sessions.
Family and systemic therapy
Addiction affects the whole family, and the family affects the course of the addiction. Joint sessions help reduce conflict, rebuild trust, and agree on rules and each person’s role in recovery. Separate consultations for relatives help them cope with codependency. Sessions can be held online if family members live in different districts or cities.
Working with trauma and emotions
Many people with addiction have experienced trauma, violence, or loss, or live with chronic anxiety or depression. Once the patient is stable and sober, the psychotherapist can move on to these topics, using trauma-focused methods and emotion regulation skills. If there are significant mental health disorders, a Narcology 24 psychiatrist works alongside.
Myths and facts
MythPsychotherapy is just talking
FactModern addiction psychotherapy consists of structured methods with specific tasks, homework, and measurable goals. The effectiveness of CBT, motivational interviewing, and family therapy is supported by research and reflected in international guidelines.
MythIf there are medications, psychotherapy isn’t needed
FactMedications can reduce cravings or ease withdrawal, but they do not teach a person to live without the substance or cope with stress. The best results come from combining medication support with psychotherapy, not from either one alone.
MythThe psychotherapist will judge and shame me
FactProfessional psychotherapy is built on respect and a non-judgmental attitude. Shame and blame do not help recovery; on the contrary, they increase the risk of relapse. The specialist’s job is to understand and help, not to judge.
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
| Rehab programme consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Outpatient programme (one month) | 150 000 ₸ |
| Residential rehab (one month) | 400 000 ₸ |
| 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
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
How is a psychotherapist different from an addiction doctor?
An addiction doctor (narcologist) is a physician: they examine the patient, prescribe medications, IV drips, and lab tests, and decide on inpatient care. A psychotherapist or clinical psychologist works with thoughts, emotions, and behavior and does not prescribe medication. In addiction treatment, they complement each other and work according to a shared plan.
How many sessions are needed?
A course usually includes 12 to 24 sessions, once a week for the first months. With a short history of use and high motivation, fewer may be enough; with severe addiction and co-occurring disorders, more are needed. After the course, maintenance sessions every 2–4 weeks are helpful.
Is online psychotherapy effective?
Yes, for many people video sessions are comparable in effectiveness to in-person ones. Online sessions are convenient with a busy schedule, traffic jams, or living in the suburbs. It is important to have a separate quiet room and a stable connection. In some situations, the psychotherapist may recommend the in-person format. This is a real help for residents of the Nauryzbay district.
Can I come if I am still using?
Yes, you can come for a consultation even if you are not yet ready to quit — that is exactly what motivational interviewing is for. But you need to come to sessions sober. If there is physical dependence, the psychotherapist will recommend detox with an addiction doctor first.
Does the family need to take part?
It is not mandatory, but it is often helpful. Family involvement makes treatment more effective, especially for teenagers and young adults. The format is discussed with the patient: separate sessions for relatives, joint sessions, or individual work only.
Is it anonymous?
Yes. Sessions are confidential and not recorded; treatment is provided anonymously, with no registry entry. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” Information 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
