Reviewed by: Askar Sarsenbayev, MD, addiction medicine physician · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.3
- Who leads care
- A psychiatrist specializing in addiction medicine: online assessment and home visit
- Format
- Video consultation, followed by a doctor's home visit
- Duration
- Online assessment 15–30 minutes, home procedure 1–3 hours
- Anonymity
- Medical confidentiality under Kazakhstan law, no registry listing
- When it's urgent
- Seizures, hallucinations, confusion, chest pain — 103 or 112
- Outcome
- A stabilized condition and a plan for treating addiction after the binge
What you should know
Why can't you just “quit cold turkey” after a drinking binge? After several days of drinking, the body adapts to alcohol, and stopping suddenly causes withdrawal syndrome: shaking, a racing heart, blood pressure spikes, anxiety, insomnia and vomiting. Some people develop seizures and delirium. Clinical guidelines require assessing the severity of the condition, replacing fluids and electrolytes, relieving symptoms and managing risks. This is exactly what the doctor does during a home visit.
Help begins with an online consultation. By video, the addiction specialist on duty finds out how long the binge has lasted and what illnesses and symptoms are present, and decides whether treatment at home is safe. This is especially important in winter, when blizzards and ice make the trip to Saryarka district or the outskirts of the Left Bank take longer: while the doctor is on the way, the family already knows what to do. If there are dangerous signs, the addiction specialist will immediately direct you to an ambulance or hospital.
When binge drinking detox is needed
- drinking has gone on for several days in a row without a break
- attempts to stop cause severe shaking, anxiety and a racing heart
- unable to eat, persistent nausea or repeated vomiting
- insomnia, nightmares, a feeling that “something is about to happen”
- blood pressure spikes, dizziness, sweating, weakness
- loved ones can't persuade the person to stop drinking
- previous difficult withdrawals, seizures or delirium in the past
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.
What happens to the body during a drinking binge
Alcohol enhances inhibitory processes in the brain, and with prolonged drinking the nervous system compensates by increasing excitation. When alcohol stops coming in, the balance is disrupted: tremor, anxiety, insomnia, and raised blood pressure and pulse appear. At the same time the liver, heart and pancreas suffer, and the water–electrolyte balance is disturbed. Dehydration and a deficiency of B vitamins increase the risk of serious neurological complications.
A binge is often triggered by stress, conflict, holidays or low mood during the long, dark winter. The more often binges recur, the more severe withdrawal becomes — an effect known as “kindling.” A demanding work schedule, where a person waits for the weekend to “unwind,” often turns the weekend into a binge lasting several days. That is why detox is only the first step and must be followed by treatment for addiction.
How the online assessment before a home visit works
You contact the clinic, and the addiction specialist joins a video call. If the patient can talk, the doctor speaks with them; if not, with relatives. The questions are: how many days the binge has lasted, what and how much has been drunk, what illnesses and medications there are, and whether there have been seizures or delirium before. Show the patient on camera and have the medication packaging ready. The doctor will explain what to do before arrival and agree on the time of the visit.
A binge cannot be treated online: IV drips, the examination and measuring blood pressure and blood sugar are done in person by the doctor at home. If there are seizures, hallucinations, confusion, chest pain, high fever or suspected mixing with drugs, call 103 or 112 — these are indications for emergency care. Alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries) is never done on the day of detox: only after an examination and sobriety, with consent and as part of treatment.
How we help
Online risk assessment
The addiction specialist on duty assesses the length of the binge, the severity of withdrawal, chronic illnesses and previous complications. This makes it possible to decide whether treatment at home is suitable or whether an ambulance and hospital are needed. The family receives clear instructions: how to ensure safety, how much to give the person to drink and what not to do before the doctor arrives.
Doctor's home visit and examination
The addiction specialist comes to the home and measures blood pressure, pulse and blood sugar, and assesses the neurological state and degree of dehydration. Visits are available on both banks of the river and in different parts of the city; arrival time is agreed in advance. If the examination reveals dangerous signs, the doctor arranges hospitalization and passes on the patient's data.
Detoxification therapy
IV fluid therapy is given to replace fluids and electrolytes, and vitamins and medications from the relevant classes are administered to ease withdrawal, protect the liver and normalize sleep. The combination is tailored individually to the patient's condition and co-existing illnesses. Specific prescriptions are decided by the doctor.
Plan after the binge
Within a few hours the condition stabilizes, but the risk of another binge remains high. The addiction specialist explains how the next few days will go and offers treatment for addiction: psychotherapy, medication support and family work. Follow-up consultations take place online, which is convenient for people with a busy work schedule.
Myths and facts
MythYou can get out of a binge on your own just by stopping drinking
FactAfter a short episode this is sometimes possible, but after a binge lasting several days, stopping abruptly carries the danger of seizures and delirium. It is safer to get a doctor's assessment and medical care, especially if previous withdrawals were severe.
MythAn IV drip “cleanses the blood” and cures alcoholism
FactAn IV drip helps replace fluids and electrolytes and ease withdrawal, but it does not treat addiction. Without further treatment, binges usually recur. Detox is only the first step.
MythYou can get coded right after the IV drip
FactCoding is carried out only after the person has fully come out of the binge, been examined and had sobriety confirmed, with written consent and as part of comprehensive treatment. On the day of detox it is neither safe nor effective.
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 Astana
| Online assessment before the visit | free |
| Home alcohol detox (IV drip) | 40 000 ₸ |
| Night visit (10 pm – 8 am) | 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
An online consultation for “Alcohol detox at home” is available to people across Astana and Akmola Region 24/7 — from home, work or while travelling. For an in-person visit, Psychiatry Online in Astana has two branches: 72 Bogenbay batyra St., Astana and 37 Petrova St., office 23, Astana. Doctor home visits: all city districts and nearby settlements.
Confidential and private
An online appointment in Astana is first of all about privacy: no clinic visit, no waiting room. A private room and headphones are enough. Data is stored in a secure system with restricted access and does not enter any state registry without legal grounds.
Questions and answers
How quickly will the doctor arrive?
Usually within a few hours after the online assessment, depending on the district and the weather. In blizzards and icy conditions it may take longer — the doctor will let you know. If the person's condition worsens while you wait, or seizures or confusion appear, call 103 or 112 immediately.
Can detox be done without the patient's consent?
Medical care is provided with the patient's consent. The only exceptions are cases provided for by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan. If the person refuses, an online addiction specialist will help relatives plan the conversation. If life is in danger, call an ambulance at 103 or 112.
What should we prepare for the doctor's visit?
The patient's ID if you want to sign a contract, the packaging of current medications and the results of previous tests. Make sure there is access to the bed and a power outlet, and have water and a clean towel ready. Remove alcohol from the home. During the online consultation, the doctor will tell you what else is needed.
How long does the procedure take and what happens afterward?
The IV drip and examination usually take 1–3 hours. Afterward the patient usually falls asleep. A repeat visit or an online consultation may be needed the next day. The addiction specialist will give recommendations on food and sleep and propose a plan for treating the addiction.
Will the information remain in a database?
There is no registry listing at a private clinic. Information about your visit is protected by medical confidentiality under the Kazakhstan Code “On Public Health and the Healthcare System” and is not passed on to your employer. The only exceptions are cases expressly provided for by law.
When is at-home detox not appropriate?
In case of seizures, hallucinations, confusion, chest pain, high fever, serious heart or liver disease, or suspected poisoning with surrogate alcohol or drugs. In these cases an ambulance and hospital care are needed. A doctor at Psychiatry Online will assess this during the online consultation.
Where can I be seen in Astana?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: 72 Bogenbay batyra St., Astana and 37 Petrova St., office 23, Astana. 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
