Prescription drug addiction in Astana

Reviewed byNurlan Isayev, MDAddiction psychiatrist, experience 10 years · updated 8 Nov 2026

Key facts

ICD-10 code

F13

Who provides care

An addiction medicine doctor, plus a psychiatrist and an internist if needed; a psychotherapist for the patient and the family

Where

Home visits in Astana, appointments at the clinic, inpatient care for complex withdrawal; online consultations for loved ones

Duration

Gradual tapering takes from 1–2 weeks to several months, followed by maintenance treatment

Confidentiality

Medical confidentiality, paid anonymous treatment, no registration on the state dispensary registry

When it’s urgent

Seizures, confusion, hallucinations, slowed breathing, suspected overdose — call 103 or 112

Outcome

Safely stopping the medication and treating the underlying insomnia, anxiety, or pain by other means

What you should know

What makes this addiction so insidious is that it starts with a prescription or a “pill for the nerves” recommended by a friend. Loved ones see that Mom can’t fall asleep without a sleeping pill, that a husband keeps looking for painkillers after a back injury, that a daughter carries packs of anti-anxiety medication in her bag. Meanwhile, the person sincerely doesn’t consider themselves addicted: “It’s just medicine.” What matters for the family is to understand that the problem is real, it can be treated, and there is nothing to be ashamed of.

Stopping certain medications abruptly on your own — especially benzodiazepines and barbiturates — is dangerous: seizures, psychosis, and delirium are possible. That is why we do not advise “throwing everything out of the medicine cabinet” without a consultation. In Astana, many people work from early morning until late at night and look for a quick fix for stress and insomnia — and that is how the dependence takes hold. Start with a consultation for relatives: the doctor will explain how to act safely.

What relatives should watch for

• takes the medication more often or in larger amounts than the doctor prescribed
• visits different doctors and pharmacies to get new prescriptions
• noticeable drowsiness, slurred speech, and an unsteady gait without any smell of alcohol
• anxiety, trembling, insomnia, and irritability when the pills run out
• hides the packaging, gets irritated when asked about medications, downplays the doses
• memory lapses, absent-mindedness, falls, and minor injuries at home
• combines pills with alcohol to “boost the effect” or to fall asleep

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.

How dependence on medications develops

Sleeping pills, benzodiazepine sedatives, opioid painkillers, and certain anticonvulsants and antihistamines cause tolerance when taken for a long time: the usual dose stops working, and the person increases it on their own. Physical dependence then follows — without the medication, a withdrawal syndrome develops with anxiety, insomnia, and pain. International guidelines, including NICE, recommend prescribing such drugs in short courses precisely for this reason.

The risk increases with chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety disorders, or depression treated with pills alone, without psychotherapy or monitoring. Loneliness, work overload, and the habit of “picking” medications on one’s own also play a role. In older relatives, dependence is often disguised as age-related forgetfulness. It is important to understand that the person is not to blame for how things turned out, but the way out has to be found together with a doctor.

How we help

Myths and facts

How a home visit works

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Further treatmentCoding, psychotherapy, rehab or psychiatric follow-up — once the acute state has passed and the person is ready.

Prices in Astana

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