Reviewed byTimur Abdrakhmanov, MDPsychotherapist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- Who provides care
- an addiction physician and a psychiatrist manage the medical side, while a psychotherapist and counseling psychologists lead individual, group and family work
- Where
- an inpatient rehab unit in Almaty or Astana; for other cities in Kazakhstan, an in-person course with travel to the clinic followed by online support
- Duration
- usually 2 to 6 months depending on the substance, length of use, relapses and co-occurring disorders, followed by a maintenance stage
- Anonymity
- anonymous, with no registry entry; medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System,” with exceptions only as provided by law
- When it is urgent
- slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures, psychosis or suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112 right away
- Outcome
- stable sobriety within the program, refusal and craving-management skills, a post-discharge plan and restored family connections
What to know
Relatives usually call when much has already been tried: treating withdrawal, promises, moving to another city, “coding.” Let me explain how rehab differs from all of that. Detox helps a person get through withdrawal in a matter of days, but drug addiction changes the brain’s reward system for months. The person experiences cravings, apathy and mood swings for a long time, and during these months they need not only medicine but also an environment, rules and people who help them stay clean.
In ICD-10, these conditions are described in section F11–F19 as dependence syndromes related to different groups of substances, and in ICD-11 as disorders due to substance use. The code is assigned by a doctor after an examination, so we do not name it over the phone. Rehab at Akalam is based on the protocols of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan and WHO recommendations: medical supervision, treatment of co-occurring mental disorders, psychosocial work, family involvement and post-rehab follow-up.
Who Needs Drug Rehab, Not Just Detox
- after withdrawal is treated, the person returns to using within days or weeks
- use has become daily or prolonged, and the substances or their combinations have changed
- debts, trouble with the law, or loss of a job or studies have appeared
- episodes of psychosis, panic or aggression have occurred while using
- the person has lost interest in everything except the substance and sees no point in staying clean
- the only people left around them are connected with drug use
- the person or the family is ready for a long-term program rather than a quick fix
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 Recovery From Drugs Takes Months
Psychoactive substances act on the brain’s reward system: over time, ordinary pleasures such as food, socializing and work stop bringing satisfaction. After stopping, this mechanism recovers slowly. For months a person may feel emptiness, boredom, irritability and sleep problems. This is exactly the period when most relapses happen. Rehab provides time, structure and support so that the brain can readjust and the person can learn to find meaning and enjoyment without the substance.
The second reason is social. Drug use is often tied to specific people, places, messaging apps and rituals. Going back to the same environment, a person runs into dozens of triggers a day. In addition, many people with drug addiction have co-occurring anxiety, depressive or post-traumatic disorders that the substance used to “muffle.” Without diagnosis and treatment by a psychiatrist, sobriety becomes too hard to bear, and the person once again seeks relief in the familiar way.
How Drug Rehab Works, Stage by Stage
The first step is an online consultation for the family or the person themselves: the addiction physician finds out how long they have been using, whether there have been overdoses, psychoses or chronic infections, and decides whether inpatient detox is needed first. Next come an in-person examination, lab tests, a conversation with a psychiatrist and signing an informed consent form. The first weeks are for adaptation and stabilization, followed by the main stage with daily groups and individual therapy; closer to discharge, the focus shifts to preparing for the return home and educating the family.
Rehab is not started during intoxication or withdrawal — detox comes first. If there is acute psychosis, severe physical complications or uncontrolled infections, the person is first treated in a specialized unit. For signs of an overdose — slow breathing, bluish skin, loss of consciousness — call 103 or 112 immediately. An adult is never placed in the program without consent; compulsory treatment is possible only by a court decision.
How we help
Stabilization and medical supervision
The addiction physician monitors sleep, appetite, blood pressure and lab results and, if necessary, prescribes symptomatic treatment — only with drug classes listed in clinical protocols and after an examination. The psychiatrist checks for depression, anxiety disorders and the after-effects of past psychoses. Co-occurring disorders are treated in parallel with the program, because without this the risk of relapse remains high.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and relapse prevention
The psychotherapist helps break down the chain “situation — thought — feeling — craving — use” and find the points where it can be interrupted. The person draws up a map of personal risks: specific people, places, emotional states and dates. An action plan is developed for each risk. Refusal skills and what to do after a one-off episode of use are practiced separately, so that a slip does not turn into a full relapse.
Therapeutic community and groups
The unit has a clear structure: a daily schedule, responsibilities, rules of communication and accountability to the group. This gradually restores the ability to live by agreements, which is often lost. Groups discuss cravings, shame, relationships and lost trust. Participants with longer sobriety show newcomers that recovery is real, and this is often more motivating than anything specialists can say.
Family program
Relatives attend consultations and family sessions. We explain how addiction works, why you should not give money “just in case,” and how to respond to manipulation and the first signs of relapse without panic or threats. The family learns to set boundaries and offer support at the same time. This is especially important when the person returns home, because the home environment largely determines how stable the remission will be.
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
MythDrug addiction can’t be treated, so rehab is pointless
FactAddiction is a chronic condition, but long-term remission is achievable, and many people live without substances for years. Rehab increases the chances, especially when it is followed by ongoing support and family involvement. The honest approach is to work toward a lasting remission rather than promise a cure.
MythMoving to another city is enough to make the cravings go away
FactA change of scenery removes some external triggers, but the internal ones — anxiety, boredom, the habit of relieving tension with a substance — move along with the person. Without new skills and treatment of co-occurring disorders, relapse in the new place is quite likely.
MythThe harsher the conditions, the better the result
FactHumiliation and violence do not treat addiction; they only deepen shame and distrust. What works is clear rules, respect, professional therapy and voluntary participation. This is in line with WHO recommendations and Kazakhstan’s legislation on patient rights.
Prices: Drug rehab
| Drug rehab | 350 000 ₸ / 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 drug rehab last?
Most often from 2 to 6 months. The length depends on the substance, how long it has been used, the number of previous relapses, any mental health disorders and what kind of support awaits the person at home. The doctor gives a precise recommendation after an in-person examination. After the main course, a maintenance stage matters — several more months of consultations and groups.
Is detox required first?
Yes, if the person has used recently or shows signs of withdrawal. Rehab requires a clear mind and a stable condition. Detox is carried out under a doctor’s supervision, and in a hospital for severe withdrawal. It usually takes a few days, after which the person moves into the rehab program.
Can a person be placed in a rehab center without their consent?
No. Adults are treated voluntarily. Involuntary treatment is possible only by a court decision in accordance with the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The family can consult an addiction physician: we explain how to talk to the person and how to suggest at least an examination. If there is a threat to life, call 103 or 112.
Will the person be put on a registry after rehab?
No. Treatment is provided on a paid, anonymous basis without placement on the state dispensary registry. Patient information is a medical secret under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System” and is disclosed only in cases expressly provided by law.
How can we stay in touch with our relative during the program?
Calls and visits follow an agreed schedule, usually after the adaptation period. This is not a punishment: in the first weeks the person needs to focus on themselves. Meanwhile, the family receives its own consultations, and the attending doctor keeps them informed about the patient’s condition — within the limits the patient has consented to.
What if a relapse happens after discharge?
Do not wait and do not keep quiet about it. A relapse is a reason to return to the doctor, not proof that everything was in vain. Sometimes a few extra consultations are enough; sometimes a short repeat program is needed. If there are signs of an overdose or psychosis, call 103 or 112 right away.
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