Reviewed byBaurzhan Kassymov, MDAddiction physician · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.2
- Who provides care
- an addiction physician, a psychotherapist, a clinical psychologist, chemical dependency counselors, and a psychiatrist when needed
- Where
- a residential rehab unit in Almaty, or a day program where you return home in the evening
- Duration
- the core course usually lasts from 28 days to 3–6 months, followed by supportive sessions for up to a year
- Anonymity
- treatment is paid and anonymous, with no registration at the state dispensary, and protected by medical confidentiality
- When it is urgent
- seizures, confusion, hallucinations, chest pain, or vomiting blood — call 103 or 112 immediately
- Outcome
- lasting sobriety skills, a relapse prevention plan, a restored daily routine, and an engaged family
What to know
Almost every family that comes to us in Almaty has already been through IV drips: they have called a doctor for a home visit in the Bostandyk or Auezov district several times, spent a couple of stays in hospital, and a month or two later it all started again. Detox clears the poisoning, but it does not change why the person drinks. Rehab works on exactly that part: the habit of relieving stress with a bottle, the Friday ritual after sitting in traffic on Al-Farabi Avenue, the family feasts where saying no to a drink comes across as an insult.
Alcohol dependence syndrome is coded F10.2 in ICD-10 and 6C40.2 in ICD-11, and both the WHO and NICE regard it as a chronic condition that needs long-term psychosocial treatment rather than a one-off procedure. That is why the program at Akalam is built as a pathway: first a safe exit from the binge and a medical assessment, then an inpatient or day rehab block, then a gradual return to work and home life with ongoing support. We are honest about timelines and do not promise that cravings will disappear after a single course.
When You Need Rehab After Detox, Not Another IV Drip
- binges keep coming back despite “coding,” IV drips, and promises to loved ones
- sober stretches are getting shorter, and every relapse starts with one “harmless” drink
- alcohol has become the main way to unwind after work and traffic jams
- drinking is causing problems at work: missed days, reprimands, lost projects
- the person admits they cannot cope but does not know how to live any other way
- there are constant arguments at home, and the children dread evenings and weekends
- there is underlying anxiety, insomnia, or low mood that gets “treated” with alcohol
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 Detox Alone Is Not Enough
An IV drip clears alcohol breakdown products and relieves withdrawal within a few days, but the brain stays tuned to drinking for weeks and months afterward: sleep is disrupted, mood swings, and the response to familiar cues is amplified. In Almaty, those cues are often very ordinary things — the drive home past a favorite bar in the Almaly district, a trip to the dacha in the foothills, corporate parties and toi celebrations where turning down a toast feels awkward.
Rehab works on what remains after detox: beliefs like “I can drink just a little,” not knowing how to relax without alcohol, loneliness, and family conflict. NICE clinical guidelines on alcohol dependence state clearly that detox should be followed by psychosocial interventions — cognitive behavioral therapy, family work, and mutual support groups. Without this stage, the risk of going back to drinking in the first few months remains high.
How Alcohol Rehab Works
We start with a consultation, which can be held by video with relatives even before the patient arrives: we discuss how long the person has been drinking, how often binges happen, previous treatment attempts, and any medical conditions. This is followed by an in-person assessment by an addiction physician, lab tests and an ECG, and detox if needed. Then comes the rehab block: daily individual and group sessions, a sobriety journal, and work on triggers and a plan for handling cravings. The family has separate sessions, and before discharge we put together a plan for the first months at home.
Rehab cannot begin during a binge or severe withdrawal — safe detox must come first, often in a hospital. If you suspect alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens), or there are seizures, marked confusion, bleeding, or chest pain, call 103 or 112: these are emergencies and are not treated at home or in a rehab unit. If the person has serious liver or heart disease or psychotic symptoms, the program is adjusted together with the relevant specialists.
How we help
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The psychotherapist helps the patient see the chain of “situation — thought — craving — drink” through concrete examples from their own life: an argument with the boss, a Friday evening, a trip to visit relatives in Kaskelen. The patient practices alternative ways of coping with tension and how to say no. CBT is included in NICE guidelines as one of the main treatments for alcohol dependence.
Group Sessions
In a group, people with similar experiences talk through their relapses, share what helps, and learn to discuss difficult things without shame. Sessions are led by a psychotherapist or an addiction counselor. For many, this is their first honest conversation about drinking without judgment, and group support is often what keeps people sober in the first months after discharge.
Family Work
Loved ones attend separate sessions: how to offer support without control or blame, how to avoid slipping back into the old roles of “rescuer” and “warden,” and what to do if warning signs of relapse appear. With the patient’s consent, joint sessions are held. A family that understands what is happening significantly lowers the risk of a return to drinking.
Medication Support and Addiction Physician Monitoring
The addiction physician monitors physical health, sleep, and mood and, when indicated, prescribes medication to reduce cravings or treat co-occurring disorders — only after an assessment and based on individual need. This does not replace psychotherapy; it is a support that helps the patient get through the hard first weeks of sobriety.
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
MythRehab is only for people who have “hit rock bottom”
FactMost of our patients in Almaty are working people: engineers, business owners, IT specialists, drivers. Addiction is not defined by social status, and rehab works best the earlier it starts — while the person still has their job, family, and health.
MythIf you get “coded,” you don’t need rehab
FactAlcohol “coding” (an aversion therapy widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries) can be one supportive measure, but it does not teach a person how to live without alcohol. When it wears off, or the person decides to “test it,” relapse is common without the skills learned in rehab. We see these approaches as complementing each other.
MythAfter the course you can have a drink now and then
FactOnce dependence has developed, controlled drinking usually does not work: one drink sets the familiar mechanism in motion. In alcohol dependence syndrome, the goal of rehab remains complete sobriety — and that is more honest than promising “social drinking.”
Prices: Alcohol rehab
| Alcohol rehab | 299 000 ₸ / month |
| Residential rehab, per month | 299 000 ₸ |
| Outpatient program, per month | 120 000 ₸ |
| Consultation to choose a program | free |
| 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 long does alcohol rehab take?
The basic inpatient course usually lasts at least 28 days; with a long drinking history and repeated relapses, it may take 2–3 months or more. After discharge, we recommend weekly supportive sessions for several months. The exact length is decided by the addiction physician and psychotherapist after the assessment and the first weeks of work.
Can I go through rehab and keep working?
Yes — that is what day and outpatient programs are for: sessions are held in the morning or evening, and the person works during the day. This suits people who are motivated and do not have severe withdrawal. If binges are frequent and cravings are strong, we usually advise starting with an inpatient block, even if only for a few weeks.
What should I do if my husband or father refuses to go to rehab?
An adult cannot be treated without their consent: involuntary treatment is only possible by court order under the procedure set out in Kazakhstan law. Start with a family consultation — we will advise you on how to talk to the person and help you prepare for that conversation. Consent to the first step is often obtained precisely after this kind of preparation.
Will my employer find out that I was in treatment?
No. Treatment at Akalam is anonymous and paid, with no registration at the state dispensary. Patient information is protected by medical confidentiality under the Kazakhstan Code “On Public Health and the Healthcare System” and is disclosed only in cases expressly provided for by law. We issue a certificate for your employer only if you ask for one.
What should I bring to the rehab unit?
Your ID (for anonymous treatment you can come without it), a list of the medications you take and records of any chronic conditions, comfortable clothes and shoes, toiletries, and a phone charger. Rules on phone use and visits are agreed in advance. Alcohol and any psychoactive substances are not allowed.
What happens if I relapse after discharge?
A relapse does not mean everything was for nothing. What matters is telling your therapist or case manager as early as possible: sometimes a few extra sessions are enough, and sometimes a short detox and a return to the program are needed. We draw up a plan for this situation with the patient in advance, so that shame does not get in the way of asking for help.
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