Reviewed byBaurzhan Kassymov, MDAddiction physician · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.2
- Who provides care
- an addiction physician, a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist and counseling psychologists; the doctor manages the medical side, while psychologists lead group and individual work
- Where
- an inpatient rehab unit in Almaty or Astana, an outpatient format, and online support for other cities in Kazakhstan
- Duration
- the basic inpatient course lasts from 28 days, 2–3 months for severe dependence, followed by a maintenance stage of up to a year
- Anonymity
- paid anonymous treatment without being placed on the state dispensary registry; medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- When it is urgent
- seizures, hallucinations, confusion, chest pain or vomiting blood — call 103 or 112 right away; rehab never starts in this condition
- Outcome
- stable sobriety skills, a relapse prevention plan, a restored daily routine and clear agreements with the family
What to know
Let me explain where rehab actually begins, because families often confuse it with an IV drip. An IV drip and detox clear the intoxication and withdrawal within a few days, but the cravings, the familiar drinking patterns and the problems in relationships stay. Rehab starts once the body is stable: the person is sober, sleeping, their blood pressure is normal and there are no signs of psychosis. Only then is the brain able to learn — to notice triggers, to get through irritation without a glass, to talk with loved ones without a fight.
In ICD-10, alcoholism is described as alcohol dependence syndrome (F10.2), and in ICD-11 as a disorder due to use of alcohol. It is a chronic condition in which both remission and relapse are possible, so rehab is not built as a course of “being fixed” but as training in practical skills. At Akalam we follow the clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan and the recommendations of the WHO and NICE: psychosocial support, medication to reduce cravings when indicated, work with the family and long-term follow-up after discharge.
When Rehab Is Needed After IV Drips and Alcohol “Coding”
- relapses keep happening weeks or months after yet another IV drip
- the person is sober but irritable, sleeps poorly and “can’t find a place for themselves”
- they have tried alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries), but once the term ended, everything came back
- drinking is built into work, friendships and leisure, and the person cannot imagine them any other way
- the family lives in constant control mode: checking, promises, arguments, distrust
- memory blackouts have appeared, along with problems at work, with a driver’s license or with money
- the person says they want to quit but does not understand how to stay sober
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
With long-term drinking, alcohol becomes the main way of coping with tension, boredom, fatigue and conflict. When it is taken away, these states do not disappear, and the person has no other skills for getting through them. That is why the first months of sobriety are the most vulnerable: cravings come in waves and grow stronger under stress, when meeting old drinking buddies or during holidays. Rehab teaches a person to recognize these waves in advance and ride them out without going back to the bottle.
The second reason is the changes that alcohol has left in the body and mind. For several weeks and even months after stopping, sleep problems, anxiety, low mood and poor concentration may persist. This is not a weakness of character but the nervous system recovering. Without treatment and explanation, the person experiences sobriety as constant discomfort and quickly relapses. The doctor’s task is to distinguish post-acute withdrawal symptoms from depression or an anxiety disorder and, if needed, prescribe treatment.
How Alcohol Rehab Works, Step by Step
It starts with an online consultation with an addiction physician, either with the family or with the person themselves: the doctor clarifies how long the person has been drinking, the most recent binges and any other illnesses, and decides whether detox is needed first. Then comes an in-person examination, lab tests, an ECG and a conversation with a psychiatrist. In the first days of the program the focus is on routine, sleep, individual sessions with a psychotherapist and getting to know the group. After that come daily groups, written assignments, analysis of relapses and family sessions. Before discharge, a personal sobriety plan and a schedule of maintenance consultations are drawn up.
Rehab is not started during a drinking binge, withdrawal or acute intoxication — detox comes first, in a hospital if the condition is severe. Acute psychosis, delirium tremens, or severe liver or heart failure must first be treated in a specialized unit. For seizures, hallucinations, chest pain or vomiting blood, call 103 or 112. An adult is never admitted to rehab without their consent.
How we help
Medical supervision
The addiction physician monitors blood pressure, sleep, liver and heart function and, when indicated, prescribes medication to reduce cravings — from the drug classes recommended by clinical protocols, only after an examination and with the patient’s consent. The psychiatrist assesses mood and anxiety: if depression is hiding behind post-withdrawal complaints, it is treated in parallel, because otherwise the risk of relapse remains high.
Individual psychotherapy
Together with the psychotherapist, the person goes through their own drinking history: in which situations drinking began, what came before it, which thoughts triggered the cravings. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques and motivational interviewing are used. The result is a clear map of personal triggers and a list of specific actions for each of them — what to do on a Friday evening, at an office party or after an argument.
Group work
A group is a place where a person hears similar stories and stops feeling like the exception. Psychologists lead themed sessions on cravings, shame, anger, relationships, money and work. Participants learn to talk about their feelings out loud and give each other feedback. For many, it is in the group that they first feel that sobriety is not a punishment but a normal life that can be built.
Work with the family
Loved ones attend separate consultations and family sessions. We explain how to support without control and reproach, what to agree on in advance and how to act at the first signs of relapse. It is important for the family to understand that rehab is not about “repairing” one person: the household rules, the sharing of responsibilities and the ways of resolving conflict all change. Without this, everything returns to the old pattern after discharge.
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
MythIf a person has been “coded,” rehab isn’t needed
FactAlcohol “coding” may support the decision not to drink, but it does not teach a person to cope with cravings, stress and conflict. When the term runs out, relapse is likely without new skills. Rehab and coding are not mutually exclusive; the decision is made by the doctor together with the patient.
MythRehab means isolation, like a locked institution
FactAn adult takes part in the program voluntarily and can leave it. The routine and rules exist for safety and focus, not as punishment. Contact with the family continues on an agreed schedule, and the outpatient format allows the person to keep working or studying.
MythAfter the course, the person will never drink again
FactAddiction is a chronic condition, and an honest doctor does not promise a lifelong result. The goal of the course is to provide skills, a plan and support so that remission lasts a long time, and a possible relapse is shorter and does not destroy everything that has been achieved.
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 last?
The basic inpatient course lasts from 28 days. For long-standing dependence, repeated relapses or co-occurring depression, the doctor may recommend 2–3 months. After discharge, a maintenance stage is needed: consultations and groups for several months, ideally up to a year. The length is discussed after an in-person examination, not over the phone.
Can rehab start right after a drinking binge?
No. First, the addiction physician treats the intoxication and withdrawal, which usually takes a few days. While a person is in withdrawal, their sleep is disrupted and anxiety is heightened, and they are simply unable to learn new skills. Rehab begins once the condition has stabilized and the doctor sees that there is no psychosis and no dangerous complications.
What if the person refuses to go?
An adult cannot be admitted without consent — involuntary treatment is possible only by a court decision in accordance with the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The family can start with a consultation with an addiction physician for relatives: the doctor will advise how to talk to the person and when to suggest an examination. Often the person agrees to at least meet with a doctor, and that is already a first step.
Will my employer find out about the treatment?
Treatment is provided on a paid, anonymous basis without placement on the state dispensary registry. All information is protected by medical confidentiality and is not shared with employers. Exceptions are only those provided by law, for example at the request of a court. A sick leave certificate is issued only if the patient wishes.
What is daily life like in the rehab unit?
The program has a daily schedule: wake-up, morning exercise, meals, groups, individual sessions, assignments and rest. Alcohol and any psychoactive substances are prohibited. Phone use and family visits follow an agreed schedule, usually after the first few weeks. The routine helps restore sleep and concentration, which are often disrupted after drinking binges.
What happens after discharge?
Before discharge, a plan is drawn up together with the psychotherapist: warning signs, support contacts, and a schedule of consultations and groups. For the first months the person meets with a counselor in person or online, and the family continues its own sessions. If signs of relapse appear, it is important to seek help immediately rather than wait until things slide back into binge drinking.
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