Reviewed byNurlan Isayev, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 10 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- Who provides care
- A psychotherapist and a psychologist, with a psychiatrist or addiction doctor if needed
- Where
- Appointments at the clinic in Almaty, online sessions, crisis home visits
- Duration
- Psychotherapy — usually 3–6 months, with family sessions in parallel
- Anonymity
- Consultations are anonymous, with no registry entry
- When it is urgent
- Aggression that threatens life or suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112; helpline 150
- Outcome
- Regaining control over time online, and restoring sleep, studies, and family relationships
What you should know
Told by the on-call doctor of our mobile team. Calls about gaming addiction usually start with a family fight. Night, the Alatau district, a mother calls: “My son hasn’t left his room for a week, he’s not going to college, I switched off the router — and he smashed the door.” The dispatcher will ask the person’s age, how many hours a day go into gaming, whether he sleeps and eats, whether he uses alcohol or energy drinks, whether there has been aggression before, and whether he has talked about suicide. These questions determine whether a visit is needed right now.
When I arrive, I usually see not a “villain” but an exhausted teenager or young man who has not slept for days, and an equally exhausted family. The first task is to reduce the tension, ensure safety, and reach an agreement — not to take the phone away. Most of the help after that comes not through home visits but through psychotherapy, at the clinic or online, which is convenient if the family lives in the Nauryzbay district or Otegen Batyr and cannot sit in traffic every day.
Signs of Internet and Gaming Addiction
- hours of gaming or social media at night, chronic sleep deprivation and daytime fatigue
- skipping school or work, falling grades, giving up former hobbies
- irritability and outbursts of anger when someone tries to limit time online
- gaming as the main way of coping with boredom, anxiety, or sadness
- lying about time spent online, spending money on in-game purchases
- skipping meals, hygiene, and socializing in order to keep playing
- unsuccessful attempts to cut down time online despite promises
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 Gaming and Internet Addiction Develops
Video games and social media are built on reward mechanisms: levels, rewards, likes, random item drops. The brain receives frequent small reinforcements, while real life seems boring and difficult. ICD-11 identifies gaming disorder — when, over a long period, control over gaming is impaired, gaming takes priority over other activities, and it continues despite the harm.
Most often, the addiction develops against the background of other difficulties: depression, anxiety, social phobia, ADHD, bullying, loneliness, or family conflict. The game becomes a place where the person feels successful and accepted. That is why simply banning it does not work: you need to understand what the game is replacing and help the person get that in real life. Addressing the causes is the foundation of treatment.
How Help Works: From the Crisis Call to Therapy
If a conflict threatens safety, the team comes out: I assess the person’s condition, sleep, and eating, look for signs of depression and suicide risk, and talk with the person separately from the parents. If there is no immediate danger, we start with a consultation at the clinic or online: we take a history, carry out an assessment, and agree on goals — not “banning games,” but restoring sleep, studies, and social life. This is followed by regular sessions with the patient and separate meetings with the family.
The online format is convenient, but with severe screen addiction, in-person sessions are sometimes better. If there are suicidal thoughts, self-harm, aggression that threatens life, or psychotic symptoms, call 103 or 112; for children and young people, the 150 helpline is available. If depression or psychosis is suspected, a psychiatrist joins the care team, and medication is prescribed only in person.
How we help
Cognitive behavioral therapy
The patient learns to track time online, recognize triggers (boredom, conflict, anxiety), and build alternatives. Sleep, daily routine, and studies or work are gradually restored. CBT is the most studied method for internet and gaming addiction; a course usually takes 12–20 sessions. Some sessions can be held online if this is convenient for the family.
Family therapy
For teenagers, parental involvement is essential. The psychotherapist helps the family agree on clear rules for using devices, reduce conflict, and build support without control through force. Abruptly confiscating devices without an agreement often provokes aggression, so rules are introduced gradually. This reduces tension.
Treatment of co-occurring disorders
Depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and social anxiety often lie at the root of the addiction. When they are identified, a Narcology 24 psychiatrist joins the care team; medication is prescribed only after an in-person examination. Without treating the underlying problem, the addiction often returns after a brief improvement. This is a mandatory part of the assessment.
Rebuilding real-life activities
Together with the patient, a plan is drawn up: sports, clubs, work, meeting friends, walks. The goal is for life to gain sources of enjoyment and success outside the screen. This is done gradually, taking the person’s interests into account rather than following an imposed list, otherwise the plan is quickly abandoned. The psychotherapist helps choose the first steps.
Myths and facts
MythIt’s not an illness, the teenager is just spoiled
FactGaming disorder is included in ICD-11. It is linked to changes in the reward system and is often accompanied by depression and anxiety. It is a reason to get help, not a reason for punishment.
MythIt’s enough to take the phone away
FactConfiscating devices abruptly without a plan often leads to conflict and aggression, and once access is restored, everything starts again. It is more effective to agree on rules and treat the causes at the same time.
MythGames are always harmful
FactMany people play without harm to their lives. The problem is the loss of control and its consequences: no sleep, no studies, no social life. The goal of treatment is to restore balance, not necessarily to ban games completely, although a temporary break is sometimes necessary.
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
| Initial addiction doctor consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Inpatient detox (per day) | 35 000 ₸ |
| Psychotherapy course (8 sessions) | 96 000 ₸ |
| 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
From what age do you provide help?
We work with teenagers and adults. Consultations with minors are held with the participation of parents or legal guardians. Approaches are adapted to age: for teenagers, working with the family and school plays a major role.
What should we do if a child becomes aggressive when we try to limit gaming?
Do not get into a physical confrontation, stay calm, and ensure safety. If there is a threat to life, call 103 or 112. In other cases, see a psychotherapist: they will help introduce rules gradually and without escalation.
Can internet addiction be treated online?
Yes, online sessions are entirely possible and convenient, especially for families from outlying districts and suburbs. But sometimes in-person sessions are more effective: they help the person leave the house and restore a daily routine. The format is chosen individually.
How long does treatment take?
Usually 3 to 6 months of regular psychotherapy, and longer in severe cases. The first improvements — sleep, routine, fewer conflicts — are often noticeable within a few weeks. It is important not to drop treatment at this stage. Maintenance sessions continue afterward.
Is medication needed?
For gaming addiction itself, the main method is psychotherapy. Medication is prescribed only for co-occurring disorders — depression, anxiety, ADHD — after an in-person examination by a Narcology 24 psychiatrist. Taking medication on your own is unacceptable.
Will the school or employer find out?
No. Consultations are anonymous, with no registry entry, and information is not shared with third parties. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System,” and exceptions are possible only in cases 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