Reviewed byRinat Zhumabekov, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 21 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F63.0
- Who provides care
- A psychotherapist; a psychiatrist in cases of depression or suicidal thoughts; an addiction doctor when gambling is combined with alcohol
- Where
- Appointments at the clinic in Astana, online consultations for the gambler and the family, inpatient care during a crisis
- Duration
- A course of psychotherapy lasts from 2–3 months; maintenance sessions continue for up to a year or longer
- Confidentiality
- Medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, no registry, no data shared with employers
- When it’s urgent
- Suicidal thoughts because of debts or severe depression — call 103 or 112; young people can call the 150 helpline
- Outcome
- Quitting gambling, financial safeguards, restored trust in the family, and skills to prevent relapse
What you should know
Wives, husbands, and parents of gamblers often describe the same thing: first small discrepancies in money, then a loan nobody knew about, promises to “win it back just one last time,” and nights spent with a phone in hand. Sports betting and online casinos are available around the clock, so the addiction develops faster than it used to. A person can be a wonderful father and a valued employee — and still secretly gamble away their salary. This is not weak willpower but a disorder that can be treated.
For the family, the most important thing is not to face this alone and not to keep paying off debts endlessly. In Astana, we consult relatives in person on both the left and right banks, or by video call if you live in Kosshy, Koyandy, or another city. A specialist will help you understand how to protect the family budget, how to talk to the person without a fight, and how to motivate them to seek treatment, and will also support you yourselves through this difficult period.
What the family notices: signs of gambling addiction
- money goes missing; loans and payday microloans you didn’t know about appear
- constantly checks match results, sits on the phone at night, hides the screen
- promises to “win it back” and repay everything, and gambles even more after a loss
- becomes irritable and anxious when unable to place a bet or log into a casino
- lies about spending and time, borrows from relatives, friends, and coworkers
- neglects work, children, and household chores, loses interest in former activities
- talks about hopelessness, guilt, or “it would be better if I weren’t here” — this is a warning sign
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 a person can’t stop
Gambling acts on the brain’s reward system in the same way as psychoactive substances: an unpredictable win triggers a powerful release of dopamine. Over time, the person needs bigger and bigger bets, and a loss is seen as a reason to “win it back.” In ICD-10, this disorder is classified as pathological gambling (F63.0); in ICD-11 it is listed as gambling disorder, one of the behavioral addictions.
The risk is higher in people with impulsivity, anxiety, depression, or ADHD, as well as in those who have been through stress, job loss, or a move. Online betting is available at any moment, advertising promises easy money, and a packed work schedule and loneliness in a big city push people to seek quick thrills. Gambling is often combined with alcohol. Understanding the causes helps the family act instead of blaming.
How help works for the gambler and their family
The first meeting can take place without the gambler: relatives come to the clinic in Astana or join a video call. The specialist reviews the situation, assesses the risks, and explains how to protect the family’s finances. Next comes a consultation with the person themselves: a conversation, psychological screening scales, and, if needed, an examination by a psychiatrist. A plan is drawn up: weekly psychotherapy in person or online, work with the family, treatment of co-occurring depression or anxiety, and financial restrictions.
An outpatient format is not enough if the person talks about suicide, has severe depression, psychosis, or is on a drinking binge, or cannot stop gambling even for a short time. In such cases, inpatient care or an urgent call to 103/112 is needed. Online therapy works well for gambling addiction, but in an acute crisis an in-person assessment by a doctor and a safe environment are essential.
How we help
Cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT is the main method with proven effectiveness for gambling addiction. The person learns to notice “gambler’s fallacies” (belief in a system, the idea that luck is just about to turn) and to recognize triggers — boredom, stress, payday, big matches — and replace gambling with other activities. The course usually consists of 8–16 sessions, followed by maintenance sessions.
Motivational interviewing
Many gamblers come under pressure from their families and are not sure they want to quit. Without judgment, the specialist helps the person weigh up for themselves what they gain and what they lose, and strengthen their own decision. This approach reduces resistance and increases the likelihood that the person will stay in treatment rather than drop out after the first session.
Financial protection and self-restriction
Together with the family, we work out practical steps: handing control of bank cards to a trusted person for the duration of treatment, giving up credit cards, blocking betting websites and apps, and self-exclusion from bookmaker services where available. This is not a punishment but a temporary safety net that takes some of the burden off willpower.
Family work and support for loved ones
Gamblers’ relatives often live with constant anxiety and guilt. In consultations, we teach them how not to pay off debts in secret, how to discuss money, and how not to lose themselves. We help rebuild trust step by step. Research shows that family therapy and support groups for loved ones improve the treatment outcomes of the gambler themselves.
Myths and facts
MythIf we pay off the debts, he’ll stop gambling
FactPaying off debts without treatment is usually perceived as permission to keep gambling and often leads to new loans. Treatment and financial restrictions come first, followed by a joint decision about the debts.
MythGambling addiction is just a lack of discipline
FactGambling addiction is recognized as a disorder in both ICD-10 and ICD-11. It changes how the brain’s reward system works, which is why “pulling yourself together” without help rarely succeeds. Treatment with a psychotherapist and a doctor significantly improves the chances.
MythSports betting isn’t gambling
FactSports betting works on the same mechanisms as a casino: unpredictable wins, the urge to win back losses, and rising stakes. Online betting is now one of the most common reasons people seek help.
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
In astana you can get help at home, at one of our two branches (6 Auezova St., office 37, Astana, 176 Imanova St., Astana) 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
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 do I talk to my husband or son about his gambling?
Choose a calm time and talk about facts and your own feelings rather than accusations: “I found a loan I didn’t know about, and I’m scared for us.” Don’t demand immediate vows. Suggest a consultation with a specialist, including an online one. If he refuses, come to a consultation yourself — that already changes the situation.
Should the family pay his debts?
Don’t make the decision in a panic. Paying off debts without treatment often prolongs the gambling. Discuss the situation with a specialist and, if necessary, with a lawyer: which obligations concern the family and which do not. It is important to protect the shared budget and the children without cutting off contact with the person.
Is it treated with medication?
The main method is psychotherapy. There is no special “pill for gambling addiction,” but if there is depression, anxiety, or insomnia, a psychiatrist may prescribe treatment after an examination to ease the condition and help the person resist gambling. Treatment is tailored to each individual.
Will anyone find out that we sought help?
No. Narcology 24 works anonymously, without registration on any registry, and all information is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. We do not report to employers or banks. Exceptions are possible only in cases expressly specified by law.
What should I do if he says he sees no way out?
Take these words seriously. Don’t leave the person alone, and calmly ask whether they are thinking about suicide — asking does not push someone to act. If there is a direct threat, call 103 or 112. Teenagers and young adults can get help from the 150 helpline. After that, a consultation with a psychiatrist is urgently needed.
Can treatment be done online?
Yes, psychotherapy for gambling addiction by video call works well for people with a packed schedule or those who live outside central Astana. Family consultations and follow-up are also held online. An in-person appointment is needed in cases of severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or combined alcohol use.
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
