Reviewed byBaurzhan Kassymov, MDAddiction physician · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F63.0
- Who provides care
- A psychotherapist and a psychiatrist; an addiction physician if alcohol or drugs are also involved; psychologists work with the family
- Where
- In-person appointments at our clinics in Almaty and Astana, online sessions for any city in Kazakhstan
- Duration
- A course of psychotherapy usually lasts from several months, followed by maintenance sessions and support groups
- Anonymity
- Anonymous, with no registration in any registry; information about treatment and financial problems is protected by medical confidentiality
- When it is urgent
- Suicidal thoughts driven by debt and despair — call 112 right away; children and young people can call the 150 helpline
- Outcome
- Quitting gambling, regaining control over money, a debt repayment plan and skills for resisting relapse
What to know
In ICD-10, gambling addiction is called pathological gambling (F63.0), and in ICD-11 it is called gambling disorder. People come to me who have already lost their savings, taken out loans, lied to their loved ones and feel ashamed of it. I tell them directly: this is not a lack of discipline but an impulse-control disorder that develops according to the same laws as chemical addictions — and it can be treated.
What makes gambling addiction different is that there is no substance to clear from the body and no IV drip that will “take away” the urge. The main tool is psychotherapy: the person learns to notice the impulse, examines their beliefs about winning and regains control over money and time. At Akalam, we also assess co-occurring depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse — they often go hand in hand with gambling and get in the way of recovery.
Signs That Gambling Is No Longer Just Entertainment
- thoughts about betting and gambling take up most of the day and interfere with work and sleep
- the stakes and time spent gambling keep increasing in order to feel the same excitement
- after a loss, there is an urge to “win it back” as quickly as possible
- attempts to stop cause irritability, anxiety and insomnia
- the person hides from the family how much they gamble and how much they have lost
- loans, payday microloans, debts to friends and selling belongings have appeared
- gambling becomes a way to escape sadness, loneliness or problems
If life is at risk — loss of consciousness, seizures, hallucinations, overdose, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112. Helpline for children and young people: 150.
How Gambling Addiction Develops
Gambling is built on unpredictable rewards: wins come irregularly, and this is exactly what reinforces the behavior most strongly. The brain remembers the thrill of anticipation and treats every “near miss” as a signal to keep going. Online formats amplify the effect: gambling is available around the clock, money is spent in a single click and real losses stop feeling real.
Distorted thinking also plays a role: belief in a “system,” in the idea that a winning streak is bound to come after a series of losses, in the ability to control chance. Gambling addiction often develops against a background of depression, anxiety, ADHD, alcohol misuse or a difficult period in life. That is why at the first appointment we look at the whole person, not just at their bets.
How Gambling Addiction Treatment Works: In Person and Online
The first appointment can be online: the doctor asks when the gambling began and about debts, mood, sleep, alcohol use and any suicidal thoughts. Then a plan is drawn up: weekly psychotherapy and, if needed, an appointment with a psychiatrist and treatment for co-occurring disorders. We also discuss practical steps separately: limiting access to money, self-exclusion from gambling platforms and help with finances from a trusted person.
The online format works well for gambling addiction psychotherapy, but it has limits. If suicidal thoughts have appeared because of debts, or the person expresses an intention to harm themselves, urgent in-person help is needed: call 112, and children and young people can contact the 150 helpline. If gambling is combined with drinking binges or drug use, an examination by an addiction physician is needed first.
How we help
Cognitive behavioral therapy
This is the main evidence-based method for gambling addiction. The psychotherapist helps the person recognize the thoughts that push them to gamble — “this time I will definitely win it back,” “I know the system” — and test them against reality. The person learns to notice high-risk situations, delay the impulse and replace gambling with other activities.
Motivational interviewing
Many people come to treatment under pressure from their family and are unsure whether they really need it. Motivational interviewing helps the person see for themselves what gambling is taking away from them and put into words their own reasons to stop. This reduces resistance and makes further therapy more effective, because the decision to stop becomes truly their own.
Treating co-occurring disorders
If the patient has depression, an anxiety disorder, insomnia or alcohol misuse, a psychiatrist or an addiction physician prescribes treatment — medications are chosen by group according to indications and only by a doctor. Until these conditions are addressed, gambling often remains a way to drown out painful feelings, and relapses happen again and again.
Working with the family and finances
Loved ones receive counseling on how to support the person without endlessly paying off their debts and without becoming a “controller.” Together we discuss financial rules for the treatment period, a plan for talking with creditors and ways to rebuild trust. For many families, this is just as important as the therapy itself.
How treatment works
- 01Call or WhatsAppThe administrator and the doctor on duty clarify the situation and tell you what to do right now.
- 02Examination or consultationThe doctor visits your home, sees you at the clinic or joins by video.
- 03Treatment planWe choose the format — at home, inpatient, psychotherapy or rehab — with a clear price.
- 04Ongoing supportYour doctor and psychotherapist stay in touch: follow-ups, family support and relapse prevention.
Myths and facts
MythOne big win is enough, and then you can quit
FactA win does not stop the addiction — it strengthens it: the brain reinforces the hope of getting lucky again. Most people with gambling addiction put their winnings back into play and keep losing, and their debts only grow over time.
MythGambling addiction is treated with “coding”
FactThe main treatment for gambling addiction is psychotherapy, above all cognitive behavioral therapy. Alcohol “coding” (an aversion-based treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries) was developed for alcohol dependence, so promises to “code you against gambling in one session” should be treated with caution.
MythOnce the debts are paid off, the problem will disappear
FactPaying off debts without treatment often creates a feeling of a “clean slate” and brings the person back to gambling. Financial issues should be dealt with alongside psychotherapy, not instead of it: what matters is changing the behavior that led to the debts.
Prices: Gambling addiction treatment
| Gambling addiction treatment | 25 000 ₸ |
| Addiction doctor home visit: examination and advice | 20 000 ₸ |
| Repeat IV drip the next day | 20 000 ₸ |
| 24 hours in the inpatient unit | 45 000 ₸ |
| Phone consultation | free |
Prices are approximate: the doctor confirms the exact cost after the examination, before treatment starts.
Confidential
We do not register patients with state dispensaries or share information with employers. You do not have to give your surname; doctors arrive in unmarked cars. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”.
Clinic addresses
FAQ
Can gambling addiction be treated entirely online?
In many cases, yes: video psychotherapy works well for gambling addiction, especially for people from other cities of Kazakhstan. An in-person appointment is needed if there are suicidal thoughts, severe depression, or if alcohol or drug use is also involved.
How long does treatment take?
A course of psychotherapy usually takes several months, with sessions once a week. After that, maintenance sessions and support groups are helpful. The psychotherapist discusses the exact plan after the first sessions, depending on severity and any related problems.
Are medications prescribed for gambling addiction?
There is no special pill for gambling addiction. Medications are prescribed for co-occurring disorders — depression, anxiety, insomnia — and only after an examination by a psychiatrist. You should not take sedatives on your own.
The person denies there is a problem. What can the family do?
An adult cannot be treated without their consent. Relatives can book a consultation with a Akalam psychologist, learn to talk without reproach, stop covering the debts and suggest that the person attend at least one meeting with a specialist.
Will the bank or my employer find out about the treatment?
No. We work anonymously, with no registration in any registry. Information about treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System” and is disclosed only in cases expressly provided for by law. Certificates and documents are issued only to the patient.
What should I do if I have suicidal thoughts?
This calls for urgent help, not waiting for an appointment: call 112, and children and young people can call the 150 helpline. Tell someone close to you how you are feeling. Debts can be resolved, but a life cannot be replaced — and specialists will help you get through this crisis.
Sources and review
Prepared by the Akalam medical editorial team based on:
- ICD-10 and ICD-11: mental and behavioural disorders
- Clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan
- Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- WHO: mental health and substance use
- NICE and APA clinical guidelines
This information is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Editorial policy