Reviewed byTimur Abdrakhmanov, MDPsychotherapist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10–F19, F63.0
- Who provides it
- An addiction physician, a psychiatrist, psychotherapists, psychologists, addiction counselors, and nurses
- Where
- A residential inpatient rehab center; pre-admission consultations in Almaty, Astana, and online
- Duration
- The core program is at least 28 days; for long-standing addiction, 3–6 months is recommended
- Anonymity
- Treatment on an anonymous, paid basis, with no registration in the state dispensary registry and medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- When it is urgent
- Seizures, delirium tremens, an overdose, or suicidal thoughts: call 103 or 112; rehab begins after stabilization
- Outcome
- Lasting skills for sober living, a relapse prevention plan, and restored family relationships
What to know
Relatives usually call me with one question: “How do we know he needs a rehab center specifically, and what will happen there?” Detox and IV drips relieve the acute state, but they do not change what led to the substance use: habits, social circle, and ways of coping with stress. That takes time and an environment where sobriety is the norm. A rehab center provides exactly that kind of environment for several weeks or months, with daily work and support from specialists.
On this page, I describe the center itself: how the day is organized, what stages the program consists of, how admission works, what to bring, what the rules are, and how contact with the family is maintained. Details about programs for alcoholism and drug addiction, the 12-step method, outpatient rehab, and aftercare are covered in other sections. Here, you will find the overall picture so that you can make a decision calmly.
When to Consider a Rehab Center
- after several rounds of detox or alcohol “coding” (an aversion-based treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries), the person goes back to using
- there are too many triggers for relapse at home: the social circle, conflicts, easy access to alcohol or drugs
- the addiction has lasted for years and has already destroyed work, family, and finances
- the person says they want to quit but cannot hold out for more than a few days
- depression, anxiety, or other mental health difficulties have developed alongside the addiction
- outpatient treatment has not helped or cannot be arranged where the person lives
- the person has a gambling addiction with debts and loss of control over money
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
In ICD-10, dependence is described as a syndrome in which substance use becomes a priority, control is lost, and attempts to quit end in relapse. Detox relieves withdrawal within a few days, but cravings, habitual reactions to stress, and beliefs such as “I can’t cope without it” remain. Without working on them, the risk of returning to use in the first months is high. WHO recommendations and the clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan regard rehab as one stage of comprehensive treatment.
The second reason is the environment. At home, a person returns to the same people, places, and conflicts that accompanied their substance use. In a rehab center, triggers are temporarily removed, there is a clear routine, and the person is surrounded by others with the same goal. This is not isolation for its own sake: during the program, the person learns to recognize risky situations in advance and prepares for life outside the center.
How Admission and Your Stay at the Rehab Center Work
It all starts with a consultation, either in person in Almaty or Astana or online, often with the relatives first. The specialist finds out about the history of substance use, health, and motivation. If the person is still using, detox is done first. On admission, an addiction physician and a psychiatrist examine the patient, lab tests are carried out, and a contract and an informed consent form are signed. Then come the first days of adjustment, daily groups, individual psychotherapy, and activities, and toward the end, preparation for discharge.
A rehab center is not the place for acute conditions. Delirium tremens, seizures, severe intoxication, acute psychosis, or strong suicidal thoughts require emergency care (call 103 or 112) and hospital treatment; rehab begins after stabilization. Serious physical illnesses that require ongoing treatment are discussed with the doctor in advance. An adult is never admitted to the center without their consent; involuntary treatment is possible only by court order.
How we help
Program stages
The first week is for adjustment and medical monitoring: sleep, nutrition, and recovery after detox. Then comes the main stage: daily groups, individual psychotherapy, learning how addiction works, and work on cravings and emotions. The final stage covers a relapse prevention plan, first outings and meetings with family, and preparation for returning to work. The length of each stage is determined individually.
Daily routine
The day at the center follows a schedule: wake-up, morning exercise, breakfast, a morning group, a lecture on addiction, individual sessions, lunch, activities, work therapy, an evening group, and lights-out at a set time. There is free time, but it is structured too. The routine is not there for control; it helps the body regain its rhythm and helps the person get used to living on a schedule again without substances.
Psychotherapy and groups
The main methods are cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, elements of the 12-step program, and work on emotions and communication skills. Groups are led by psychotherapists and addiction counselors. A psychiatrist monitors patients with depression, anxiety, or other disorders and prescribes treatment when needed. Psychologists do not prescribe medication.
Family work
Addiction changes the whole family, so relatives are invited to consultations and family sessions. They learn how to support sobriety without control, how to respond to a relapse, and what to change at home. Visits and phone calls are arranged on a schedule after the adjustment period. Before discharge, we discuss how life at home will be organized and what ongoing support is needed.
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
MythA person can be placed in a rehab center against their will
FactAn adult is not treated without their consent. Involuntary treatment is possible only by court order, in accordance with the procedure established by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Our work is voluntary: you can discuss with us in advance how to motivate your loved one to get treatment. Under no circumstances do we “take people by force.”
MythAfter rehab, the addiction is gone for good
FactAddiction is a chronic illness, and rehab offers no lifelong guarantees. It teaches you to live sober, recognize the risk of relapse, and seek help in time. Many people stay sober for years, but support after discharge is essential for that.
MythA rehab center is a locked facility with harsh punishments
FactModern programs involve no humiliation and no physical punishment. There are rules: sobriety, respect, and participation in the program. Violations are discussed with counselors and the group. The patient has the right to stop treatment; we simply explain the risks of that decision.
Prices: Rehab center
| Rehab center | |
| 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 a person need to stay at the center?
The minimum program is about 28 days. For addiction lasting many years, repeated relapses, or drug addiction, specialists more often recommend 3–6 months. The exact length is determined after an examination and adjusted along the way: the decision on discharge is made together with the patient and, with their consent, with the family.
What should we bring?
An identity document, comfortable clothing and footwear for the season, toiletries, any medications the person takes regularly as prescribed by a doctor, and medical records on chronic conditions. The administrator will confirm the list. Alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications without a prescription may not be brought in, and phones are usually handed in during the adjustment period.
Can we visit the patient?
Yes, after the adjustment period, usually 1–2 weeks, according to a schedule and with the patient’s own consent. In the first days, contact is limited so that the person can settle into the program. Over time, phone calls and meetings with the family become regular. Relatives are also invited to family consultations.
Will my employer find out about the rehab?
No. Treatment at Akalam is anonymous, with no registration in the state dispensary registry. Information about the patient is protected by medical confidentiality and is not shared with employers. Exceptions are possible only in cases expressly provided for by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
What happens if the patient wants to leave early?
The stay is voluntary, so we have no right to keep an adult against their will. If they say they want to leave, a counselor and a doctor talk with them about the reasons and the risks, and, with the patient’s consent, the family is involved. The urge to leave is often a temporary reaction that passes after a conversation.
What happens after discharge?
Before discharge, a plan is drawn up together with the patient: maintenance sessions with a psychotherapist, an outpatient program, mutual-support groups, and, if needed, follow-up with an addiction physician and a psychiatrist. The first months after the center are the most vulnerable, so ongoing support is important. Details are covered in the section on social reintegration and aftercare.
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