Reviewed byBaurzhan Kassymov, MDAddiction physician · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.3
- Who provides it
- an addiction physician, the doctor on duty and nurses; an internist or psychiatrist when indicated
- Where
- the clinic's inpatient units in Almaty and Astana; patients from other cities of Kazakhstan are admitted
- Duration
- usually 3–7 days; longer if complications arise, as decided by the doctor
- Confidentiality
- anonymous admission is possible, without registration with the state addiction (dispensary) registry
- When it is an emergency
- seizures, delirium, loss of consciousness, vomiting blood — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- getting safely through withdrawal, a full check-up and a plan for further treatment
What to know
Families often ask me: why go into a clinic if a doctor can come to the house? The answer depends on how high the risk of complications is. When a binge has dragged on for two or three weeks, the person is not eating, has a weak heart or has already had seizures, a home IV drip is only a half-measure: the most dangerous period comes 2–4 days after alcohol is stopped, and during those days what is needed is not a one-off visit but continuous monitoring with the ability to step in immediately.
In the inpatient unit we see the patient around the clock: a nurse checks blood pressure and pulse on schedule, the doctor examines them morning and evening — and right away if things get worse. We can run blood tests and an ECG, call in an internist or cardiologist if needed, and adjust treatment within the hour. For many people it is also a chance to step away for a few days from their usual surroundings, where alcohol is always within reach, and calmly think about what to do next.
When to Choose Inpatient Detox Instead of a Home IV Drip
- the binge has lasted more than two weeks or keeps recurring with only short breaks
- there have already been seizures, alcohol withdrawal delirium or delirium tremens in the past
- there is heart disease, severe high blood pressure, diabetes or cirrhosis
- the person has barely eaten for several days and is very weak
- episodes of confusion have appeared — the person mixes up the time or place
- there is no adult at home who can keep an eye on them overnight
- home IV drips have already been tried, but within a day the person started drinking again
If life is at risk — loss of consciousness, seizures, hallucinations, overdose, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112. Helpline for children and young people: 150.
Why Round-the-Clock Monitoring Matters After a Heavy Binge
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome develops in waves. On the first day the person feels shaky, anxious and nauseous, but the most dangerous complications — seizures and alcohol withdrawal delirium (ICD-10 F10.4) — usually appear on the second to fourth day. They cannot be predicted with complete accuracy in advance, which is why international guidelines (NICE, WHO) recommend managing withdrawal in an inpatient setting when the risk is high.
A prolonged binge is almost always accompanied by problems in other organs: dehydration, low potassium and magnesium, raised liver enzymes and heart rhythm disturbances. None of this is visible at home, whereas in the clinic we take blood tests straight away and adjust treatment. In addition, there is no access to alcohol in the ward, so the person cannot “top up” in the evening and undo the morning's IV drip.
How Admission to the Clinic Works: Step by Step
Even before arrival, the doctor clarifies the person's condition by phone or video and confirms that inpatient care is appropriate. The family can bring the patient themselves or book medical transport. On admission there is an examination, blood tests, an ECG and signing of informed consent. Then the patient is settled in a ward and the IV drip is started. Every day the doctor assesses how the person feels, their sleep and blood pressure, and gradually reduces the treatment. Before discharge, there is a conversation about the next steps.
The Akalam inpatient unit is not an intensive care unit. If a person has a serious injury, bleeding, a suspected stroke, or poisoning with methanol or other surrogate alcohol, they need a general hospital — call 103 or 112. An adult cannot be admitted to a private clinic against their will: involuntary treatment is possible only by court order, following the procedure established by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
How we help
Assessment on admission
In the first few hours we do a complete blood count and blood chemistry, check electrolytes, glucose and liver function, and take an ECG. Based on the results, the doctor chooses the composition and rate of the IV drips and decides whether an internist or cardiologist is needed. This means we are not treating “blindly,” as often happens with a one-off home visit.
IV drips and medication support
Infusions with electrolyte solutions, B vitamins (especially thiamine to protect the brain) and liver-support medications are given on schedule, usually once or twice a day. The doctor relieves anxiety, insomnia and tremor with medications prescribed only when clinically indicated and tapered off gradually so that no new dependence develops.
Monitoring and prevention of complications
A nurse regularly checks blood pressure, pulse and temperature and watches for signs of confusion or hallucinations. At the first symptoms of delirium, the doctor changes the treatment approach immediately, without waiting until morning. This level of monitoring is impossible to provide at home, and it is exactly what makes inpatient care safe for high-risk patients.
Talking about further treatment
By day 3–5, when the person's head clears, an addiction physician talks with them, and a psychiatrist or psychotherapist if needed. We discuss what led to the binge and what options there are going forward: outpatient treatment, psychotherapy, alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries) after the required period of sobriety, or rehab. The decision is always made by the patient.
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
MythIn an inpatient unit you are locked up and not allowed to leave
FactIn a private addiction clinic, treatment is voluntary: the patient signs a consent form and can withdraw it. The doctor will explain why leaving early is dangerous, but no one has the right to hold an adult by force.
MythHospitalization always means registration and a record in your documents
FactAnonymous paid treatment is provided without registration with the state addiction (dispensary) registry. Paperwork is completed, but information about the patient is protected by medical confidentiality and is shared with third parties only in cases expressly specified by law.
MythIf you have already had a drip at home, you do not need the hospital
FactA one-off IV drip does not protect against complications on days 2–4. If a person is at high risk — a long binge, past seizures, heart disease — the doctor may recommend inpatient care even after a home visit.
Prices: Inpatient alcohol detox
| Inpatient alcohol detox | 45 000 ₸ |
| 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
How many days do you need to stay in the inpatient unit?
Most often 3–5 days; after a prolonged binge or with complications, up to 7–10. The length of stay is not fixed in advance but depends on the person's condition: once sleep, blood pressure, appetite and test results return to normal and the doctor sees that the dangerous period has passed, discharge can be discussed.
Can we visit the patient?
Yes, visits are possible by agreement with the attending physician, usually from day 2–3, when the person starts feeling better. Relatives can bring clothes, toiletries and a phone according to the unit's rules. Alcohol and any medications not approved by the doctor must not be brought in.
What should we bring to the clinic?
An ID card (for anonymous treatment, by arrangement), comfortable clothes and shoes, toiletries, a phone charger, medical records and a list of regular medications. If the person takes medicines for blood pressure or diabetes, bring those too and show them to the doctor.
How do we bring someone in from another city?
First, call the doctor: they will assess whether the patient can tolerate the journey and whether a medical escort is needed. At Akalam, you can agree on the date and time of arrival in Almaty or Astana in advance. If the person's condition worsens on the way — seizures, confusion — stop and call 103 or 112.
How is an inpatient unit different from a rehab center?
The inpatient unit solves a medical task — getting the person safely through detox and examining them; this takes days. Rehab means weeks and months of work on the addiction itself, on habits and relationships. Usually inpatient detox comes first, and rehab is discussed afterward.
Can a person be admitted while they are drunk?
Yes, most patients are admitted while still on a binge. What matters is that the person is conscious and agrees to be hospitalized. If they are unconscious, do not respond to your voice or have trouble breathing, do not drive to the clinic — call 103.
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