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 doctor and a psychotherapist
- Format
- Video consultations + in-person stages when indicated
- Duration
- Sessions of 30–50 minutes, a course of 6–12 months
- Anonymity
- No registry listing, medical confidentiality
- When it’s urgent
- Delirium, seizures, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- Stable sobriety and relapse prevention skills
What you should know
Alcohol dependence syndrome is a chronic disorder that, under ICD-10, is diagnosed when several features are present: strong cravings, loss of control, withdrawal symptoms, increasing tolerance, narrowing of interests and continued drinking despite harm. Being chronic means a single procedure is not enough: it takes a long-term process — similar to managing high blood pressure or diabetes — with regular visits and adjustments to the plan.
This is exactly where the online format has an advantage. A session can be held during a lunch break from your car or in the evening at home, without spending an hour driving across the bridges between the two banks of the river. At Psychiatry Online, the doctor sees how things are changing over time: how strong the cravings are, how the person is sleeping and how they cope with weekends. This is especially important in winter, when long dark evenings and cold winds limit walks and sports, and alcohol becomes a habitual way to “warm up and relax.”
Signs It’s Time to See an Addiction Specialist
- a planned “just one drink” regularly turns into a whole evening or weekend
- without alcohol it is hard to fall asleep, relax or cope with stress
- in the morning you have shakiness, sweating and anxiety that go away after a drink
- you need more and more alcohol for the same effect — your tolerance is growing
- alcohol is gradually crowding out sports, hobbies and time with your children
- your loved ones express concern, and you hide how much you drink
- you keep drinking even though you already have health or work problems
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.
Why Addiction Develops: What Research Shows
Alcohol activates the brain’s reward system: dopamine is released, and the brain memorizes the link “I drank — I felt good.” With regular drinking, this link grows stronger, while natural sources of pleasure lose their significance. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control, starts working differently. That is why a person may sincerely decide not to drink, yet at the moment of craving the decision gives way to an automatic response.
Both heredity and environment play a role. Genetic predisposition affects how quickly alcohol is metabolized and how sensitive a person is to it. Chronic stress, a demanding work schedule, a corporate culture of drinking at gatherings, social isolation, and anxiety and depressive disorders all increase risk. That is why clinical guidelines require assessing co-occurring mental health conditions and treating them at the same time.
How Online Treatment for Alcohol Addiction Works
The first video consultation lasts 40–50 minutes: the doctor clarifies your drinking history, screens you with standardized questionnaires and assesses anxiety, mood and sleep. Have discharge summaries, a list of medications and lab results ready. You will need a private room and a stable internet connection; the camera is turned on so the doctor can assess appearance and speech. A plan is then drawn up: how often to meet, goals and, if needed, an in-person medical workup and the involvement of a psychotherapist.
Detox for severe withdrawal, lab tests, an ECG and a liver ultrasound cannot be done online — these require an in-person visit or a doctor’s home visit. Prescribing prescription medications depends on Kazakhstan law and the requirements for an initial in-person examination. If hallucinations, seizures, confusion or thoughts of suicide appear, call 103 or 112.
How we help
Motivational Interviewing
A method with a strong evidence base: the doctor does not lecture or shame, but helps the person put their own reasons for change into words. This reduces resistance and increases engagement in treatment. It works as well online as in person because it is built on conversation and respect for the patient’s autonomy.
Medication When Indicated
To reduce cravings and support sobriety, medications from several groups are used, including opioid receptor antagonists. The choice depends on liver and kidney function and other health conditions. The decision to prescribe is made after an in-person examination and tests, while the effect and tolerability can be monitored by video.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps identify triggers — situations, thoughts and emotions that set off cravings — and practice alternative actions. The patient keeps a diary, learns to recognize early warning signs and plans for difficult situations: holidays, business trips and office parties. Online sessions make it possible to work through real episodes while they are still fresh.
Working With Family and Environment
When loved ones understand how addiction works, they stop controlling and blaming and start supporting. Online family sessions help agree on house rules, how to respond to a relapse and how to spend free time together. In winter, when families spend more time at home, such agreements are especially important.
Myths and facts
MythAlcoholism can only be treated in a hospital
FactInpatient care is needed for severe withdrawal, delirium and serious co-existing illnesses. Most people are treated as outpatients: detox at home or in a day-program format, followed by long-term support that can conveniently be provided online.
MythIf a person doesn’t admit the problem, nothing can be done
FactMotivation is not something you are born with — it can be developed. Motivational interviewing and family work help a person see the consequences and arrive at a decision. Relatives can start with a consultation of their own.
MythOnline treatment is just talking
FactOnline support includes structured questionnaires, a treatment plan, tracking of cravings and symptoms, adjustments to therapy and coordination of in-person stages. It is a full part of the treatment process, not a substitute for it.
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
Psychiatry Online in Astana: same-day video appointments and two branches for in-person visits — 72 Bogenbay batyra St., Astana and 37 Petrova St., office 23, Astana. Our mobile team works around the clock: all city districts and nearby settlements. If you live elsewhere in Astana and Akmola Region, starting online is usually easiest.
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
Can I start alcohol addiction treatment entirely online?
You can start, yes: the first consultation, assessment, plan and psychotherapy are all done by video. But some stages require an in-person visit: tests, an examination and detox for pronounced withdrawal. The doctor will tell you which steps you specifically need and in what order.
How often do I need online sessions?
In the first weeks, once or twice a week, then less often as things stabilize. The frequency depends on the severity of the addiction and any co-occurring conditions. During difficult periods — for example, holidays or the long winter months — sessions can be scheduled more often.
Will my anonymity be preserved in online treatment?
Yes. Consultations take place over a secure connection, and your data are protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” There is no registration on the state registry. Information may be disclosed only in cases expressly provided for by law.
Can medications be prescribed over video?
This depends on Kazakhstan law and the requirements for an initial in-person examination. Prescription medications often require an in-person visit. The doctor will be honest about what can be done online and will help arrange the in-person stage without losing time.
What if I relapse during treatment?
A relapse is a common part of recovery, not a reason to give up treatment. Let your doctor know: at an unscheduled session you will work out what triggered it and adjust the plan. If severe withdrawal symptoms appear after a relapse, a doctor’s home visit may be needed.
Is the online format suitable for a busy person?
Yes, this is one of its main advantages. Government and office employees can join during a lunch break or in the evening from anywhere in the city — from Saryarka, Baikonur or the new neighborhoods of Yesil district — without spending time on the road or waiting in line.
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
