Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.2
- Who provides care
- an addiction medicine physician (narcologist); a psychotherapist joins if needed
- Format
- online consultation and preparation, then an in-person procedure; follow-up support afterward by video
- Duration
- consultation 30–40 minutes, procedure in a single visit; the length of the coding effect is discussed individually
- Confidentiality
- no registration with the state registry; medical confidentiality under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- When it's an emergency
- severe withdrawal, seizures, hallucinations, chest pain — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- a conscious decision to stay sober, a chosen method and a support plan for the coming months
What you should know
People usually come to coding when both they and their family are exhausted by repeated binges and want “something reliable.” We begin with an honest conversation: you message us on WhatsApp, choose a convenient time, and a narcologist joins a video call. During the first consultation, the doctor finds out how many years the problem has lasted, when the last drink was, whether there is heart or liver disease or epilepsy, and — most importantly — whether the patient personally wants to stop drinking. Coding is never performed without voluntary consent.
For Almaty residents, starting online saves at least half a day: there is no need to cross the whole city from Auezov or Alatau district, sit in traffic on Abay Avenue and wait in a clinic corridor. Online, you get a plan — which tests to take, how many days of sobriety are needed and which method is likely to suit you. The in-person part, the procedure itself, takes a single visit. After coding, Psychiatry Online continues to support the patient online, because coding works best as part of comprehensive treatment.
Who Should Discuss Alcohol Coding with a Narcologist
- you have already tried to quit drinking on your own but relapsed after a few weeks
- binges keep recurring and interfere with your work, family and health
- you need an external “limiter” to help you hold on during difficult moments
- you are ready for sobriety and want to back up your decision with a medical method
- your relatives insist, but you also understand that the problem is serious
- after coming off a binge, you don't know what to do next to avoid relapsing
- anonymity matters to you and you don't want to go to a state addiction clinic (narcological dispensary)
If heavy drinking has lasted more than two or three days, or there is shaking, vomiting, blood-pressure spikes or insomnia, you need a doctor rather than stopping alone. An online consultation is free and helps assess the risks before a visit. For seizures, confusion or hallucinations call 103 or 112.
How Coding Works and Why It Is Not a Magic Pill
Alcohol dependence (F10.2 in ICD-10) is a chronic condition in which a compulsive craving develops, control over how much is drunk is lost, and drinking continues despite the harm it causes. Coding relies on two mechanisms: a medication-based one, in which a drug makes drinking unpleasant or reduces cravings, and a psychotherapeutic one, in which a stable commitment to sobriety is built. The specific medications are chosen by the doctor; they are not prescribed online without a medical evaluation.
The key thing to know is that coding does not erase the cause of the addiction. If a person drinks because of stress, anxiety, loneliness or family problems, those causes do not disappear. That is why international guidelines consider any method of maintaining sobriety together with psychosocial support — counseling, psychotherapy and support from loved ones. This is exactly how we offer coding: as part of a plan, not as the only measure.
What Happens Online and What Requires an In-Person Visit
The online consultation takes place on WhatsApp, Telegram or Zoom — whichever you prefer. The narcologist takes a medical history, explains the differences between the methods, their limitations and possible side effects, and answers relatives' questions. If the patient wishes, part of the conversation takes place without the family present — this matters for openness. At the end, you receive a list of tests, an understanding of which method suits you, and how many days of sobriety are needed before the procedure.
The coding itself is not done online. It requires an in-person examination, a blood pressure check, an ECG and lab tests if needed, and confirmation of sobriety. Contraindications related to heart disease, liver disease, epilepsy or pregnancy cannot be properly assessed online. If the patient is in the middle of a binge or has severe withdrawal, they first need detox — at home with a doctor's visit or in a hospital — and only then is coding discussed.
How we help
Online consultation and preparation
During the first video appointment, the doctor assesses readiness for sobriety and overall health and explains the coding options. The patient receives a list of tests and preparation instructions. If needed, the consultation can be held in the evening or on the weekend, which makes it easier to fit around work in a busy city where every weekday is fully scheduled.
Medication-based coding
The doctor administers a drug that either causes unpleasant reactions if alcohol is consumed or reduces cravings. The specific drug and method of administration are chosen after tests and a discussion of the risks. The patient signs an informed consent form and receives detailed recommendations, including what must be avoided while the coding is in effect.
Psychotherapeutic coding
This approach builds a stable commitment to sobriety using psychotherapeutic techniques. It suits people who have contraindications to medications or who prefer a drug-free route. The effect depends largely on the patient's motivation and ongoing support, so the doctor always discusses a follow-up plan.
Online support after the procedure
The first months of sobriety are the most vulnerable. A narcologist and a psychotherapist check in with the patient regularly by video, helping them cope with stress, cravings and awkward situations — for example, at family celebrations or office parties. This lowers the risk of relapse and makes it possible to respond in time if cravings intensify.
Myths and facts
MythYou can get coded in the middle of a binge to make it faster
FactNo. The procedure is only performed after a period of sobriety and a medical evaluation. During a binge or with marked withdrawal symptoms, coding is unsafe — the person must first be brought out of the binge and stabilized.
MythA person can be coded without their knowledge
FactCoding is performed only with the patient's own informed consent. Secret “coding” at relatives' request is impossible and against the law. If the person is not ready, we offer motivational work and consultations for the family.
MythAfter coding, the craving disappears forever
FactCoding helps people stay sober, but the underlying cause of the addiction remains. Without psychotherapy and support, many return to drinking after the coding period ends. That is why coding is more effective as part of comprehensive treatment.
How an online appointment works
- Message or callWrite on WhatsApp or call — our coordinator replies within minutes, day or night. You don't have to give your surname.
- Doctor and timeWe match you with a psychiatrist, addiction specialist or psychotherapist and agree on a time — often the same day.
- Video consultationA secure 50–60 minute video call: the doctor takes a detailed history and uses standardised scales if needed.
- Treatment planYou receive a clear summary, recommendations and a plan: what we do online and what needs an in-person visit or home call.
- Follow-upOnline follow-up sessions, messenger contact with your doctor, and treatment adjustments until you get a stable result.
Prices in Almaty
| Online consultation before coding | free |
| Assessment and coding procedure | 55 000 ₸ |
| Online therapist support (4 sessions) | 50 000 ₸ |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
You can book in Almaty online or at one of two branches: 129 Kurmangazy St., office 8, Almaty, 110 Bogenbay batyra St., office 15, Almaty. Our coordinator replies on WhatsApp within minutes at any time, and a doctor usually connects by video the same day; home visits are available too — all city districts and nearby settlements.
Confidential and private
Information about your visit, diagnosis and treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. We never share it with your employer, school or relatives without your consent; the only exceptions are those expressly set out by law. For an online consultation your first name is enough, video runs over a secure channel and nothing is recorded without your consent.
Questions and answers
How many days without alcohol are needed before coding?
It depends on the chosen method and the person's health, usually 3 to 7 days. The narcologist will give you the exact period during the online consultation. If it is hard to stay sober without help, the doctor will first suggest detox or supportive therapy.
Can I have a coding consultation anonymously?
Yes. You don't have to give your full name at the first video appointment, and no registration takes place. Information about your treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System” and is not shared with your employer or other organizations.
Where does the procedure itself take place in Almaty?
The in-person procedure is carried out in the clinic's office or, if the chosen method allows it, during a doctor's home visit. The address and time are agreed after the online consultation so that you don't have to cross the city at rush hour unnecessarily.
What happens if you drink after coding?
The consequences depend on the method: with medication-based coding, severe unpleasant and dangerous reactions are possible. The doctor explains the risks in detail before the procedure. If a relapse does happen, contact your doctor immediately, and if you feel unwell, call 103 or 112.
Is coding suitable for someone with heart disease?
This can only be decided after a medical evaluation. Some methods are contraindicated in cardiovascular disease, while others may be used with caution. Online, the doctor will collect information and order the necessary tests, and will make the final decision after an in-person examination.
Can relatives attend the consultation instead of the patient?
Relatives can get advice on how to talk to their loved one and how to lead them toward a decision. But coding itself is only possible with the patient's personal consent. Often the first step is an online meeting between the family and a narcologist or psychologist.
Where can I be seen in Almaty?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: 129 Kurmangazy St., office 8, Almaty and 110 Bogenbay batyra St., office 15, Almaty. Both are open 24/7; home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements.
Sources and methodology
This page was prepared by the Psychiatry Online medical editorial team based on:
- International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and ICD-11, World Health Organization
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- NICE (UK) and APA (US) guidelines on the treatment of mental disorders
- WHO recommendations on telemedicine and digital health
This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Editorial policy
