Reviewed byNurlan Isayev, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 10 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.2
- Who provides care
- An addiction doctor (narcologist), a psychiatrist, psychotherapists, and rehab specialists
- Where
- The clinic’s inpatient unit or outpatient care in Almaty, with some sessions online
- Duration
- Detox — 3–7 days; rehab — 1 to 6 months; follow-up support — up to a year
- Anonymity
- Anonymous treatment with no entry in the state dispensary registry
- When it is urgent
- Seizures, hallucinations, chest pain, or vomiting blood — call 103 or 112 right away
- Outcome
- Stable sobriety, skills for coping with cravings, and restored health and family life
What you should know
Told by the on-call doctor of our mobile team. Rehab almost always begins with a night call. A typical story: Saturday, the Bostandyk district, a wife calls on the sixth day of a binge. The dispatcher will ask how many days he has been drinking, what and how much, when he last ate, whether he has had seizures or delirium tremens before, and what chronic illnesses and medications he has. If hallucinations, seizures, chest pain, or vomiting blood are mentioned, the dispatcher will immediately direct you to 103 or 112.
I arrive and bring him out of the binge; in the morning he is sober and depressed — and that is when we most often hear “never again.” Morning remorse is a good moment to talk about rehab, but it is no guarantee. Without a program, in a week or a month it will all happen again — we see this on repeat calls. That is why, the day after the visit, we call back, invite the person for a consultation, and together choose the format: the Narcology 24 inpatient unit or an outpatient program that allows them to keep working.
When Rehab Is Needed, Not Just Alcohol Detox
- binges keep recurring, and the sober periods between them get shorter
- several detoxes or rounds of “coding” without a lasting result
- without alcohol there is anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and an inability to relax
- job loss, trouble with the law, or a family on the verge of breaking up because of alcohol
- liver, pancreas, or heart disease related to drinking
- episodes of seizures or alcohol withdrawal delirium in the past
- the person says themselves that they cannot hold back, and asks for help
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 Alcohol Detox Alone Is Not Enough
Detox relieves acute symptoms but does not change what led to the addiction: the habit of relieving stress with alcohol, the social environment, anxiety, depression, not knowing how to relax in other ways. According to ICD-10, alcohol dependence syndrome includes cravings, loss of control, and continued drinking despite harm — and these mechanisms persist for weeks and months after the last drink, which is why the risk of relapse in the first months is very high.
Rehab addresses this long period. According to international guidelines, including NICE, effective treatment of alcohol dependence combines psychosocial interventions, medication support when indicated, and family involvement. Everyday matters are important too: sleep, nutrition, a daily routine, and returning to work. The longer a person stays in the program, the higher the chance of stable remission.
The Path from the First Call to Rehab
Night one: home visit, examination, an IV drip with detox solutions and B vitamins, and observation. In the morning, a call from the doctor; in the evening, a repeat assessment. After 2–3 days, once the person is stable, a consultation with an addiction doctor and a psychotherapist: examination, lab tests, liver and heart assessment, and choice of format. The inpatient program means living at the clinic with daily therapy; the outpatient program means sessions several times a week, some online. Family members receive consultations in parallel.
Rehab cannot begin during a binge or acute withdrawal — detox comes first, and with severe withdrawal or delirium, only in the inpatient unit. The outpatient format is not suitable if there is a history of seizures or delirium, serious physical illness, suicidal thoughts, or no support at home. Rehab is voluntary; without consent, it is possible only by court order.
How we help
Inpatient program
The patient lives at the clinic for anywhere from several weeks to several months. The day is structured: individual and group psychotherapy, relapse prevention sessions, physical activity, and a regular sleep and meal schedule. Inpatient care is suitable if there is no sober environment at home, if there have been severe binges, or if relapses followed outpatient treatment. Family visits are arranged with the psychotherapist.
Outpatient program
The person continues to live at home and work, while sessions with a psychotherapist and a group take place several times a week, some of them online. This is convenient for residents of the Alatau district or suburbs such as Konaev, where a daily commute takes hours. The format is suitable when motivation is sufficient, health is stable, and the family is supportive.
Psychotherapy and relapse prevention
Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention skills help the person recognize triggers and cope with cravings and stress without alcohol. The patient draws up a personal action plan for moments of craving. An important part is working through feelings of guilt and shame, which in themselves often provoke new relapses.
Medication support
When indicated and after an examination, a Narcology 24 doctor may prescribe medications that reduce alcohol cravings, treatment for insomnia, anxiety, and depression, liver support, and correction of vitamin deficiencies. Alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries) and chemical protection are considered an additional part of the program — only after an examination, a period of sobriety, and written consent.
Myths and facts
MythRehab is a closed center where people are sent by force
FactAt our clinic, rehab is provided only on a voluntary basis. The patient can choose an inpatient or outpatient format. Involuntary treatment is possible only by court order, in the manner established by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
MythIf you get “coded,” you don’t need rehab
FactCoding and other methods do not change the causes of addiction and do not teach a person to live without alcohol. Without psychotherapy and support, the risk of relapse remains high. These methods are more effective as part of a comprehensive program.
MythA month is enough, and the person is cured
FactA month is a good start, but the risk of relapse remains high for a year. That is why ongoing support is recommended after the main program: sessions with a psychotherapist, support groups, and medical follow-up.
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
“Alcohol rehab” 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
How long does alcohol rehab take?
Usually from one to six months, depending on how long the person has been drinking, the severity of the addiction, coexisting illnesses, and the format. After the main course, follow-up support for up to a year is recommended. The doctor gives exact timelines after the examination, not over the phone.
Can I go through rehab and keep working?
Yes, that is what the outpatient program is for: sessions in the evenings or on weekends, some online. It is suitable if your health is stable, there are no serious complications, and you have support at home. If outpatient treatment does not work, the doctor will recommend inpatient care.
How can I persuade a loved one to go to rehab?
It is best to talk when he is sober, calmly, about specific facts and your own feelings, without accusations. Suggest one concrete step — a consultation. The clinic’s psychotherapist holds sessions for relatives and helps prepare for the conversation.
Will my employer find out?
No. Treatment is anonymous, with no registry entry. Information is not shared with third parties; this is medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” Exceptions apply only in cases expressly provided for by law.
What happens if a person relapses during the program?
Relapse is a common part of recovery, not the end of treatment. The doctor assesses the person’s condition and carries out detox if needed, and the psychotherapist helps work out what led to the relapse and adjust the plan. It is important not to hide a relapse and to call right away.
Do you pick up patients from the suburbs?
Yes, we make visits to Kaskelen, Talgar, Otegen Batyr, Konaev, and other suburbs. The doctor will assess the person’s condition on site and, with the patient’s consent, arrange transportation to the inpatient unit. Travel time depends on the roads; the dispatcher will tell you when you call.
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
