Reviewed byTimur Abdrakhmanov, MDPsychotherapist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- Who provides care
- an addiction counselor and a psychotherapist; an addiction physician and a psychiatrist when indicated; a family therapist for relatives
- Where
- sessions and groups at the clinics in Almaty and Astana, and an online format for residents of other cities in Kazakhstan
- Duration
- from 3 to 12 months: weekly sessions in the first months, then less often, according to an individual plan
- Anonymity
- anonymous, with no registry entry; information about treatment is not shared with employers, medical confidentiality under Kazakhstan law
- When it is urgent
- a relapse with a drinking binge, signs of an overdose, psychosis or suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112, then decide on a repeat course
- Outcome
- a stable routine, work or studies, a new sober social circle and restored trust within the family
What to know
The most dangerous period for a person who has completed rehab is the first few months after discharge. At the center everything was clear: a routine, a group, specialists nearby. At home, the old problems are waiting — debts, the distrust of loved ones, acquaintances from their past life and free time that used to be filled with drinking or drug use. Resocialization is needed so that this transition is not abrupt. Let me explain what exactly we do and why this stage must not be skipped.
The goal of aftercare is not new treatment but consolidating the results and rebuilding a normal life: work, routine, finances, social circle and relationships. WHO and NICE guidelines emphasize the importance of long-term support in addiction, because relapses most often occur in the first year of sobriety. At Akalam we see resocialization as a continuation of the program, not an optional add-on.
Who Especially Needs Aftercare
- the person is leaving inpatient rehab and returning to their old environment
- there are debts, a lost job, unfinished studies or legal issues
- many people around them keep drinking or using drugs
- after discharge, anxiety, emptiness and confusion about “what to live for now” have appeared
- distrust, control and arguments about the past persist in the family
- previous attempts at sobriety ended in relapse within the first months
- the person lacks the skills to plan the day, manage money or ask for help
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 Relapses Most Often Happen After Discharge
During rehab, a person is protected from most triggers. After discharge, they all come back at once: stress at work, conflicts, holidays, meetings with old acquaintances, empty evenings. At the same time, the initial enthusiasm for sobriety fades, while the life problems accumulated over years of use have not gone anywhere. If there is no support and no plan at this moment, the person is left alone with the tension — and they know the familiar way of relieving it.
The second reason is a social void. Drinking or drug use often took up a large part of life: time, socializing, leisure. When it goes away, an emptiness appears that needs to be filled with something. Resocialization helps build new activities, find a sober circle, return to one’s profession or learn a new one, and restore relationships with the family. Without this work, sobriety feels like a loss rather than the beginning of a new life.
How Resocialization Works, Step by Step
Even before discharge, the counselor and the person draw up a plan together: where they will live, what they will do, whom they will spend time with and which situations are risky. In the first months there are weekly sessions with a counselor or psychotherapist, in person or by video, recovery groups and progress checks on the plan. Specific tasks are addressed separately: finding a job, paying off debts, returning to studies. The family continues its consultations. Over time, the sessions become less frequent.
Aftercare does not replace medical care in the event of a relapse. If the person is on a binge again or using, detox is needed first, followed by a decision about a repeat course. For signs of an overdose, seizures, psychosis or suicidal thoughts, call 103 or 112. Online support is possible, but if the condition worsens, an in-person examination by an addiction physician or a psychiatrist is needed.
How we help
Individual support
The addiction counselor meets with the person regularly, helps them analyze the past weeks and notice early warning signs — poor sleep, irritability, reconnecting with old acquaintances, lying about small things. Together they adjust the plan. If anxiety, depression or traumatic experiences surface, a psychotherapist or psychiatrist joins in. Support is gradually reduced so that the person learns to rely on themselves.
Recovery groups
Groups for people after rehab are held in person and online. They discuss not only cravings but also everyday difficulties: how to talk to colleagues, how to turn down a drink at a party, how to get through the first paycheck without relapsing. The experience of participants with longer sobriety gives newcomers practical solutions. Many also continue to attend mutual-help fellowships.
Rebuilding social skills
We help set up a daily routine, plan a budget, draw up a debt repayment plan, prepare for a job interview and return to studies. If there are legal issues, we advise contacting the appropriate specialists. It is important that the person once again feels capable of solving problems, not just avoiding use. This strengthens self-esteem and the motivation to stay sober.
Family work
A person’s return home changes the whole family. Loved ones often still do not trust and keep controlling, while the person feels hurt and watched. Family sessions help agree on rules, gradually restore responsibility and trust, and discuss difficulties openly. Relatives also receive support for themselves so that they do not burn out or slip back into patterns of codependency.
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
MythAfter rehab, the person is healthy and needs no more support
FactThe course provides skills, but they take months to consolidate. The first year of sobriety is a period of increased relapse risk, and regular support helps get through it. Dropping support right after discharge is a common reason for returning to use.
MythResocialization is just about finding a job
FactWork matters, but resocialization is broader: routine, finances, relationships, a new social circle, free time and psychological resilience. Without these foundations, even a good job can become a source of stress that leads to relapse.
MythIf there was a relapse, the whole program was wasted
FactA relapse does not erase what has been achieved. What matters is to seek help quickly, figure out what happened and, if necessary, go through detox or a short course. The sooner a person returns to support, the fewer the consequences.
Prices: Aftercare and reintegration
| Aftercare and reintegration | 90 000 ₸ / 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 an aftercare program last?
Usually from 3 to 12 months. In the first months, sessions are held weekly, then once every 2–4 weeks. The length depends on the severity of the addiction, how stable the condition is and life circumstances. We recommend not ending support before at least six months of sobriety have passed.
Can I do resocialization online from another city?
Yes. Sessions with a counselor and groups are available by video from any city in Kazakhstan. This is convenient if rehab took place in Almaty or Astana but the person will live elsewhere. If the condition worsens, we will help arrange an in-person examination by a doctor.
Do you help with finding a job?
We are not a recruitment agency, but the counselor helps write a résumé, prepare for an interview, think through what to tell an employer and how, and how to combine work with the program. Information about treatment is not shared with employers: it is a medical secret.
Does the family need to take part in resocialization?
It is highly advisable. The return home is a time when old conflicts easily flare up again. Family consultations help agree on rules, money and how to respond to signs of relapse. It is also important for relatives to get support themselves so they do not burn out.
What should I do at the first signs of relapse?
Tell your counselor or psychotherapist right away, without waiting for the next session. Warning signs include poor sleep, irritability, thoughts like “just one is fine” and meeting up with old drinking or using friends. Together you can increase the frequency of sessions or bring in a doctor. If use has already started and the condition is serious, call 103 or 112.
Is the program suitable if rehab was at another center?
Yes. We hold an initial meeting, review the treatment history, assess the current condition and draw up a support plan. If necessary, an addiction physician or psychiatrist conducts an examination. The experience of previous treatment is taken into account, and the program is tailored to the person’s current goals.
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