Reviewed byArman Magzhanov, MDPsychiatrist, experience 24 years · updated 8 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F51.0
- Who provides it
- A psychiatrist and a psychotherapist (CBT for insomnia)
- Where
- In the office, online, or at home when there are co-existing conditions
- Duration
- CBT-I 6–8 sessions, medication only as a short course
- Anonymity
- No ID and no registry entry, full medical confidentiality
- When it is urgent
- Several days without sleep with agitation or delusions — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- Restored sleep without dependence on sleeping pills
What you should know
Insomnia is more than just “a bad night's sleep.” In medical terms, insomnia means persistent sleep problems that continue despite normal conditions for rest and lead to daytime consequences: fatigue, irritability, and reduced attention and memory. Acute insomnia lasts up to three months and is often linked to stress. Chronic insomnia lasts longer than three months; it can become a problem in its own right even after the original cause has gone.
Insomnia can be primary or a symptom of another condition: depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, alcohol misuse, or physical illnesses such as pain, sleep apnea or thyroid disease. That is why insomnia treatment in Zharkent at Narcology 24 is managed by a psychiatrist, who identifies the cause and chooses a method that will not create new problems. Taking sleeping pills on your own for a long time without a doctor's supervision often leads to dependence and worse sleep.
Signs of Insomnia That Needs Treatment
- falling asleep takes more than 30 minutes because your thoughts won't let you relax
- frequent waking during the night and difficulty getting back to sleep
- waking 1–2 hours before the alarm and being unable to fall asleep again
- a feeling that sleep doesn't restore your energy, tiredness in the morning
- daytime sleepiness, irritability and mistakes at work
- anxiety before bedtime and a persistent fear of “not sleeping again”
- sleeping pills or alcohol have become a must for getting to sleep
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.
Causes of Insomnia
Acute insomnia is most often linked to stress: a conflict, a move, an illness or a change of job. Chronic insomnia is kept going by perpetuating factors: the person spends a lot of time in bed awake, goes to bed earlier “to catch up on sleep,” naps during the day, drinks a lot of coffee and uses devices before bed. The bed becomes associated with wakefulness and anxiety, and sleep is disrupted even without the original stress.
An important group of causes is mental disorders: depression (especially with early-morning waking), anxiety, PTSD with nightmares, and hypomania. Alcohol helps you fall asleep faster but destroys sleep structure in the second half of the night, and withdrawal causes severe insomnia. Sleep can also be disturbed by certain medications, stimulants, obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome — the doctor rules these out too.
How Insomnia Treatment Works: Step by Step
Stages of insomnia treatment in Zharkent: 1) a consultation with a psychiatrist — in person or online — with a detailed review of your routine, habits, medications, alcohol use and any other complaints; 2) a sleep diary for 1–2 weeks; 3) if sleep apnea or another physical cause is suspected, a referral to the relevant specialist; 4) a course of CBT for insomnia; 5) a short course of medication when indicated; 6) treatment of the underlying disorder if the insomnia is a symptom of it; 7) a prevention plan.
Insomnia on its own rarely requires hospital admission. Urgent help is needed if a person has barely slept for several days and is also agitated, speaks incoherently or voices unusual ideas — this may be the onset of mania or psychosis; or if insomnia is combined with suicidal thoughts or has developed during alcohol withdrawal with tremors and confusion. In these cases, call 103 or 112.
How we help
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
CBT-I is the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia according to international guidelines. It includes sleep restriction, stimulus control (using the bed only for sleep), working with anxious thoughts about sleep, sleep hygiene and relaxation techniques. A course is usually 6–8 sessions. The effect lasts longer than with sleeping pills, and the method works well online.
Medication management
Sleep medications are prescribed by a doctor as a short course when quick help is needed, or when insomnia is part of another disorder. Medications from different classes are used, including ones with a low risk of dependence. Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are not used long-term because of the risk of dependence. Previously taken sleeping pills are withdrawn gradually.
Treating the underlying cause
If insomnia is a symptom of depression, an anxiety disorder, PTSD or an addiction, treatment is aimed primarily at the underlying condition. For example, in depression, antidepressants are chosen that improve both mood and sleep. Once the underlying disorder has been treated, sleep often recovers without separate sleeping pills.
Sleep hygiene and routine
The patient receives specific recommendations: a consistent wake-up time, no daytime naps longer than 20 minutes, limiting caffeine after lunch, avoiding alcohol, a cool dark bedroom, physical activity during the day and no screens for an hour before bed. On their own, these measures are not enough for chronic insomnia, but they are an essential foundation.
Myths and facts
MythA glass of wine before bed helps you fall asleep
FactAlcohol speeds up falling asleep but disrupts sleep structure: in the second half of the night, sleep becomes shallow and broken by awakenings. Regularly using alcohol as a sleep aid makes insomnia worse and leads to dependence.
MythIf you can't sleep, you should stay in bed longer
FactSpending a long time in bed awake reinforces insomnia: the brain links the bed with wakefulness and anxiety. In CBT-I, time in bed is, on the contrary, temporarily restricted so that sleep becomes deeper and more stable.
MythYou can take sleeping pills for years if they work
FactMany sleeping pills lose their effectiveness with long-term use and cause dependence, and stopping them abruptly worsens sleep. Long-term treatment is possible only under a doctor's supervision, with regular reassessment of whether it is still needed.
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 Zharkent
| Psychiatrist consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| Follow-up consultation | 9 500 ₸ |
| Psychotherapy session (50 min) | 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
Narcology 24 in Zharkent: our duty team makes home visits day and night, usually within an hour (all city districts and nearby settlements). Two branches for appointments and procedures — 59 Abaya St., Zharkent and 125 Konaeva St., office 17, Zharkent. When indicated, we arrange admission and transport.
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
When should I see a doctor about insomnia?
If sleep problems last longer than a month, occur at least three times a week and interfere with your daytime life, it is worth seeing a psychiatrist. Seek help urgently if insomnia is combined with low mood, thoughts of death, agitation or unusual ideas.
Why does a psychiatrist treat insomnia rather than a neurologist?
A neurologist rules out neurological causes, while a psychiatrist works with the most common causes of chronic insomnia — anxiety, depression, stress and addictions — and is skilled in the methods used to treat them. If needed, the psychiatrist will refer you to a neurologist or a sleep specialist.
Can insomnia be treated online?
Yes. CBT for insomnia and psychiatrist consultations work well by video call. Online insomnia treatment in Zharkent includes reviewing your sleep diary, recommendations and follow-up. An in-person examination is needed if physical causes are suspected.
How do I stop taking sleeping pills if I've been on them for a long time?
Do not stop them abruptly: this can cause rebound insomnia and withdrawal symptoms. The psychiatrist will draw up a plan for gradually reducing the dose and, at the same time, introduce CBT for insomnia so that your sleep recovers naturally.
How long does insomnia treatment take?
CBT-I usually takes 6–8 weeks, and the first improvements often appear within 2–3 weeks. If insomnia is a symptom of another disorder, the timeline depends on the treatment of that condition. Sleep medications are usually prescribed for a short period.
Can insomnia be linked to alcohol?
Yes, very often. Insomnia is one of the main symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and can persist for weeks after you stop drinking. At Narcology 24, an addiction specialist (narcologist) and a psychiatrist help restore sleep without replacing alcohol with sleeping pills, which carry their own risk of dependence.
Where do doctors visit in Zharkent and where are the branches?
Home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements, 24/7. Appointments at two branches: 59 Abaya St., Zharkent and 125 Konaeva St., office 17, Zharkent. Phone in Zharkent: +7 (700) 309-30-65.
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
