Reviewed byRinat Zhumabekov, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 21 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F12
- Who provides care
- An addiction medicine doctor, plus a psychiatrist if psychotic symptoms are present; a psychotherapist works with the person and the family
- Where
- Home visits anywhere in Astana, appointments at the clinic, inpatient care; online consultations for relatives
- Duration
- Acute phase: 1–3 weeks; core treatment and psychotherapy: from several months
- Confidentiality
- Medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”, no registration on any registry
- When it’s urgent
- Psychosis, aggression, seizures, or suicidal thoughts after using spice — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- A stable condition, a treatment plan, clear rules for the family, and relapse prevention
What you should know
More often than not, the first to notice the problem is not the person themselves but a mother, a wife, or a brother: they have become withdrawn, skip classes or shifts, stay awake at night and are sluggish during the day, and money disappears with no explanation. Many families spend years hearing “it’s just weed, it’s harmless” and doubt whether they have the right to step in. You do. Regular cannabis use changes mood, memory, and motivation, and synthetic blends can trigger acute psychosis after just the first few tries.
We understand that relatives in Astana often live on a packed work schedule, while their loved one may be renting an apartment on the other bank of the river or may have moved from another region and live alone. That is why you can start with an online consultation for the family: the doctor will listen, ask clarifying questions, and explain what already requires urgent action and what can be addressed step by step. After that comes an in-person appointment, a home visit from an addiction doctor, or inpatient care if the condition is severe.
What families notice: signs of marijuana and spice addiction
- red eyes, dry mouth, a sweetish smell on clothes and in the room
- sharp mood swings: giggly and talkative one moment, apathetic and irritable the next
- disrupted sleep: awake at night, asleep during the day, missing school or work
- loss of interest in old friends, sports, and plans — “I don’t need anything”
- constant shortage of money, borrowing from relatives, things disappearing from home
- suspiciousness, fear, a feeling of being watched, strange statements after use
- irritability and insomnia when they have not been able to use for a few days
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 develops and why spice is so dangerous
Cannabinoids act on the brain’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood, appetite, memory, and sleep. With regular use, the brain gets used to this external stimulation, and without it the person feels anxious, bored, and unable to sleep. Addiction most often develops in teenagers and young adults, because the still-maturing brain is especially vulnerable. Heredity, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and a social circle where using is seen as normal also play a role.
Synthetic cannabinoids (spice, “mixes”) are a separate and far more dangerous story. Their chemical makeup is unpredictable, their effect is many times stronger than that of plant cannabis, and they are the ones most often behind acute psychosis, seizures, heart rhythm disturbances, and severe poisoning. For the family, this means one thing: if you suspect spice use, do not wait for them to “grow out of it” — get a consultation with an addiction specialist right now.
How help works: from the family’s first call to treatment
The first step is a phone call or video consultation for the family: the doctor finds out what the person uses, for how long and how often, whether there have been psychotic episodes, and whether there are chronic illnesses. Then we arrange a meeting: an appointment at the clinic or a home visit from an addiction doctor in Astana. The doctor examines the patient, assesses their mental and physical condition, orders tests if indicated, relieves anxiety and insomnia, and draws up a plan: outpatient treatment, psychotherapy, and inpatient care if needed.
Treatment at home is not possible if psychosis has developed after spice use, or if there is aggression, hallucinations, seizures, loss of consciousness, chest pain, or the person talks about suicide — in these cases call 103 or 112 immediately. Inpatient care is also needed when cannabis is combined with alcohol or other substances, or when there is severe depression. A diagnosis cannot be made and medication cannot be prescribed online without an examination: video is suitable for an initial assessment and ongoing follow-up.
How we help
Motivational counseling
A doctor or psychotherapist talks with the person without pressure or lecturing, helping them see for themselves what using is costing them: their studies, work, relationships, and health. This is especially important in cannabis addiction, where many people sincerely believe that “weed is harmless.” We explain to the family how to keep this conversation going at home without turning it into an interrogation or a fight.
Medication support
There is no specific medication for cannabis addiction, so the doctor treats the particular symptoms: anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and depression during withdrawal. Medications are chosen by drug class and only after an examination: anti-anxiety medications, sleep-normalizing medications, and, if there are psychotic symptoms, antipsychotics prescribed by a psychiatrist. Self-medicating with sleeping pills from the home medicine cabinet is dangerous.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT is a method with a strong evidence base for cannabis addiction (NICE and WHO guidelines). The person learns to recognize the situations and thoughts that trigger cravings, to say no in company, and to cope with boredom and stress without the substance. It is usually a course of weekly sessions, in person or online, plus homework between sessions.
Work with the family
Relatives receive separate consultations: how to talk about the problem, what rules to set at home, how to avoid financing the drug use, and what to do if signs of psychosis appear. For teenagers, parental involvement is a mandatory part of treatment. We also help loved ones cope with their own anxiety, guilt, and exhaustion, because their strength is the foundation of the whole process.
Myths and facts
MythMarijuana is a harmless “soft” herb
FactRegular use impairs memory, attention, and motivation and raises the risk of depression and psychosis, especially in teenagers. Cannabis dependence is listed in ICD-10 as a distinct diagnosis, F12, and requires treatment just like other addictions.
MythSpice is the same thing as weed
FactSynthetic cannabinoids are many times stronger and unpredictable in composition. They are most often linked to acute psychosis, seizures, severe poisoning, and ambulance calls. Suspected spice use is a reason to see an addiction specialist immediately.
MythBan it and take away their phone — they’ll quit on their own
FactStrict control without treatment usually leads to secrecy and conflict. What works is clear rules combined with professional help: a doctor, psychotherapy, and support from a family that does not shield the person from consequences but does not reject them either.
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
| 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
“Cannabis and spice addiction” 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
How can I convince my son or daughter to see an addiction doctor?
Choose a calm moment when the person is sober, and talk about specific facts and your own feelings (“I can see you’ve stopped going to classes, and I’m scared”) rather than labels. Offer the lowest-threshold option: an online consultation or a conversation with a psychotherapist. If they don’t agree right away, the doctor can consult the family — that is a step forward too.
Will I be put on a registry if I go to the clinic?
No. Narcology 24 works on a paid, anonymous basis, and information about the patient is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. There is no registration with the state dispensary registry, and no data is passed on to an employer or school; the only exceptions are those expressly provided for by law.
What should I do if the person is acting strangely after using spice?
Don’t leave them alone, remove sharp objects, speak calmly and briefly, and don’t argue with delusional ideas. If there is aggression, hallucinations, seizures, vomiting, loss of consciousness, or chest pain, call 103 or 112. In winter in Astana, do not let a person in this state go outside: the frost and wind can be deadly.
Can marijuana addiction be treated without inpatient care?
In many cases, yes: outpatient treatment, home visits from a doctor, and regular psychotherapy in person or online. Inpatient care is needed when there are psychotic symptoms, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, combined use with alcohol or other substances, or when the person cannot stop using at home.
How long does treatment take?
Acute withdrawal symptoms — irritability, insomnia, anxiety — usually pass within 1–3 weeks. But the main work takes months: psychotherapy, changes in social circle and habits, and relapse prevention. The doctor gives an exact timeline after the examination; it depends on how long the person has been using and on any co-occurring problems.
My loved one is an adult and refuses help. Can they be forced?
A clinic cannot force an adult into treatment: involuntary treatment is possible only by court decision, following the procedure established by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. But the family can do a lot: get a consultation, stop covering up the consequences of drug use, and stay in contact. Quite often, it is a change in the relatives’ behavior that eventually brings the person to a doctor.
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
