Reviewed byRinat Zhumabekov, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 21 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- Who provides it
- An addiction medicine doctor experienced in treating alcohol and drug dependence
- Where
- At the clinic, at home in any district of Astana, or by video call
- Duration
- About 40–60 minutes; follow-up sessions if needed
- Anonymity
- No passport and no registry; medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health”
- When it is urgent
- Severe intoxication, seizures, hallucinations, overdose — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- Severity assessment, recommendations for tests, and choice of treatment format
What you should know
Many families spend years living in “maybe it will pass on its own” mode because they fear one word — the registry. A wife does not want her husband to lose his job; a mother fears her son will be barred from university or a government career. An anonymous consultation with an addiction specialist removes that fear: you get a professional opinion without ending up in state databases. It is a chance at least to learn the truth about the situation before making any decisions.
Loved ones often come to the consultation first, and alone. This is normal: addiction changes perception, and the person sincerely believes everything is under control. A Narcology 24 addiction doctor will listen to you, explain what is happening to your loved one’s body and mind, and suggest how to talk to them so that they want to come in themselves. In Astana, appointments are available at convenient times, including late in the evening after work and on weekends.
What Relatives Notice Before the First Consultation
- the person drinks or uses “to lift the mood” more often than before, and in larger amounts
- constant lying, missing money, debts, and borrowing from acquaintances have appeared
- in the mornings there is shaking, sweating, and irritability that go away after a drink
- the person promises to quit, but a few days later everything repeats
- their social circle has shrunk, old friends have disappeared, and new ones have appeared
- problems at work: being late, sick leave, reprimands, dismissals
- the home has become tense, and children are afraid of or avoid the adult
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 Loved Ones Delay Seeking Help — and Why That Is Dangerous
The main reason for delay is shame and fear of the consequences. The family hopes to cope on its own: hiding alcohol, pleading, threatening divorce. But without treatment, addiction usually progresses: tolerance increases, withdrawal syndrome appears, and the liver, heart, and nervous system suffer. The sooner a doctor gets involved, the more treatment options there are and the less time recovery takes.
The second reason is confusion about what “anonymous” means. Many people think that any visit to an addiction specialist automatically leads to an entry in a database. In fact, paid anonymous care in Kazakhstan does not involve registration with the state psychoneurological or narcological dispensary, and patient information is protected by law. This is especially important for people in Astana who work in government bodies or at large enterprises with regular checks.
How an Anonymous Addiction Consultation Works
When booking, you can give just a first name or a pseudonym. At the appointment, the doctor clarifies the history of drinking or drug use, symptoms, chronic illnesses, and medications; if needed, the doctor measures blood pressure and pulse and performs an examination. If a relative comes, the conversation is built around their observations and questions. At the end, the doctor explains the diagnosis (if one can be made), recommends tests and treatment options, and answers the family’s questions.
The consultation is not held if the person is visibly intoxicated: it is impossible to assess them properly, and the conversation will not be useful. If there are signs of a threat to life — seizures, confusion, hallucinations, severe chest pain, vomiting blood, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112 immediately. Once the person is stabilized, you can return to a scheduled consultation.
How we help
Medical history and examination
The doctor finds out how long and how much the person has been drinking or using, whether there have been binges, relapses, or attempts at treatment, and what illnesses they have. The examination makes it possible to assess blood pressure, pulse, skin condition, and tremor. Based on this information, the addiction specialist determines the stage of addiction and whether there are complications. Relatives can fill in the picture with things the patient does not notice or hides.
Screening questionnaires
Internationally recognized questionnaires are used to assess substance use — for example, AUDIT for alcohol, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). They help determine whether this is risky use or already dependence. The results are convenient to discuss with the person: numbers are received more calmly than reproaches and lower the temperature of family arguments.
Referral for tests
When indicated, the doctor recommends blood tests, liver function tests, an ECG, and a drug screening test. This is necessary to choose treatment safely and to rule out contraindications to procedures. Tests can be done at Narcology 24 anonymously, without results being shared with other organizations, and the doctor will explain to the family in detail what each value means.
Recommendations for the family
A separate part of the appointment is devoted to loved ones: how to stop paying for the consequences of substance use, how to protect your own health, what to tell the children. The doctor will explain how to act during a relapse and whom to call if the situation gets out of control. The family leaves with a concrete plan, not just with anxiety.
Myths and facts
MythAnonymous means no proper treatment
FactAnonymity applies only to the patient’s data, not to the quality of care. The doctor works according to the same clinical approaches as in any other clinic: assessment, testing, treatment, follow-up. The only difference is that the information does not enter registry databases.
MythOnly the person with the addiction needs a consultation
FactA relative can come alone, and this is often the most effective start. The doctor will help you understand what is happening and lay the groundwork for a conversation. Many people with addiction agree to treatment after their family has received professional support.
MythIf you see an addiction specialist, your workplace will be informed
FactMedical confidentiality is protected by the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” Information is not passed on to employers, educational institutions, or neighbors. Exceptions are only cases expressly established by law, such as a court request.
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 Astana
| Online addiction doctor consultation | 10 000 ₸ |
| In-person addiction doctor consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Family consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| 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
“Confidential addiction doctor consultation” in Astana is available 24/7, including weekends. Home visits: all city districts and nearby settlements. For appointments, Narcology 24 has two branches: 6 Auezova St., office 37, Astana and 176 Imanova St., Astana. If you live elsewhere in Astana and Akmola Region, call us and we'll advise the fastest way to get help.
Confidential and private
in Astana 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
Do I need a passport for an anonymous consultation?
No, documents are not required for anonymous care; you can give just your first name. If you need an official certificate or sick leave, your personal details will be required, and the doctor will explain in advance what that changes. For consultation and treatment without documents, anonymity is fully preserved.
Can I come instead of my husband and tell the doctor about him?
Yes, a consultation for a relative is common practice. The doctor will ask what you are seeing, assess possible risks, and suggest how to proceed. This helps you prepare for a conversation with your loved one and choose a form of help they are more likely to accept.
What if he comes to the appointment after drinking?
If the intoxication is mild, the doctor may hold a short conversation and schedule a follow-up visit. With marked intoxication, a full consultation is impossible, and it is better to reschedule. If there are signs of a serious condition, emergency care is needed — call 103 or 112.
Can an addiction specialist come to our home for a consultation?
Yes, the doctor travels to any district of Astana — the Left and Right Banks, Saryarka, Baikonur, Nura — and to nearby suburbs. The home format is convenient if the person refuses to go to the clinic but is willing to talk in their own home. The arrival time is agreed on when you call.
How many consultations are needed?
Sometimes one is enough to settle on a plan. More often, several are needed: the first for assessment, the following ones after tests and to adjust treatment. Relatives often benefit from separate support, especially in the first months, when the family is learning to live in a new way.
Will a diagnosis be made at the first appointment?
The doctor makes a preliminary conclusion about the stage of addiction based on the conversation and examination. A final ICD diagnosis is made after tests and observation. With anonymous treatment, the diagnosis itself does not lead to registration and does not enter databases without your consent.
Where do doctors visit in Astana and where are the branches?
Home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements, 24/7. Appointments at two branches: 6 Auezova St., office 37, Astana and 176 Imanova St., Astana. Phone in Astana: +7 (700) 309-30-17.
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
