Reviewed by: Askar Sarsenbayev, MD, addiction medicine physician · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.3
- Who provides care
- An addiction medicine doctor: online assessment, then a home visit
- Format
- Video consultation to prepare + IV drip at home
- Duration
- Consultation 15–20 minutes, infusion 1–3 hours
- Anonymity
- No registration on the state addiction registry, medical confidentiality under the Kazakhstan Health Code
- When it’s urgent
- Seizures, hallucinations, confusion, chest pain — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- Fewer withdrawal symptoms, restored sleep and a plan for further treatment
What you should know
After several days of continuous drinking, the body runs in overload mode: the liver cannot clear acetaldehyde fast enough, the kidneys lose water and salts, and the nervous system adapts to the constant presence of ethanol. When the person tries to stop, alcohol withdrawal syndrome begins: tremor, sweating, a racing heart (tachycardia), anxiety and insomnia. Contrary to popular belief, an IV drip does not “flush the alcohol out.” Its job is to restore fluid and electrolyte balance and support the organs while the body recovers from intoxication.
Clinical guidelines on managing alcohol withdrawal are clear: assess severity first, then treat. That is why the first step at Psychiatry Online is a video call with an addiction specialist, who asks structured questions about how long the binge has lasted, chronic illnesses, any past seizures and episodes of confusion. This is especially useful in winter, when strong winds and frost make it wiser to plan a doctor’s visit in advance rather than wait until nighttime: doctors travel both to neighborhoods on the right bank and to the new residential blocks of Yesil district.
When an IV Drip for a Drinking Binge Is Really Needed
- the binge has lasted more than two or three days and you cannot stop on your own
- marked hand tremor, sweating and a pounding heart in the mornings
- vomiting and inability to keep water down, signs of dehydration
- insomnia, anxiety and inner restlessness after stopping alcohol
- blood pressure spikes, headache and weakness
- drinking “the hair of the dog” to relieve symptoms is becoming more and more frequent
- family members notice that the person has become irritable and is thinking poorly
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 You Feel So Bad After a Binge: How Withdrawal Works
Ethanol enhances inhibitory GABA signaling in the brain and suppresses excitatory glutamate signaling. With prolonged drinking, the brain compensates: inhibitory receptors become fewer and excitatory ones more numerous. When alcohol suddenly disappears, the balance tips toward excitation. This causes tremor, anxiety and insomnia, and in severe cases seizures and alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens), which usually develops on days 2–4 after the last drink.
The second mechanism is metabolic. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, and vomiting and not eating increase the loss of potassium, magnesium and sodium. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency in people who have been drinking for a long time raises the risk of Wernicke’s encephalopathy. That is why infusion therapy includes rehydration solutions, electrolytes and B vitamins, while medications to relieve agitation are selected by the doctor individually for each patient.
How an Online Consultation Helps Prepare for an IV Drip
The video consultation takes place on a smartphone or laptop: all you need is a stable internet connection and a quiet room. The doctor asks to see the patient on camera and assesses speech, coordination and tremor, and asks about how much has been drunk, blood pressure, chronic illnesses and current medications. Have a blood pressure monitor, a list of medications and any medical records ready in advance. Based on the call, the doctor decides whether an IV drip at home is safe and agrees on a visit time, taking into account your district and rush-hour traffic.
An IV drip cannot be given online, and not every complication can be ruled out remotely: an in-person examination, blood pressure and pulse measurement, and sometimes an ECG are needed. If there are seizures, hallucinations, confusion, chest pain, high fever or suspected poisoning with counterfeit or non-beverage alcohol, call 103 or 112 — these are indications for hospital admission. In severe withdrawal, the doctor will recommend hospitalization rather than treatment at home.
How we help
Assessing Withdrawal Severity
Before any infusion, the doctor assesses the severity of withdrawal using standardized criteria: tremor, sweating, anxiety, agitation, perceptual disturbances and orientation. This approach is described in international guidelines and makes it possible to separate mild cases that can safely be treated at home from those that require hospitalization. Part of this assessment is already done during the video appointment.
Rehydration and Electrolyte Correction
The basis of an IV drip is fluid replacement solutions and electrolytes. They reduce weakness, headache, palpitations and nausea. The composition is chosen with blood pressure, heart and kidney function in mind, so there is no universal “one drip for everyone.” The doctor monitors how the patient feels throughout the procedure and adjusts the infusion rate as needed.
Vitamin and Symptomatic Support
Thiamine and other B vitamins are given to protect the nervous system; liver-support medications and anti-nausea drugs are added when indicated. To relieve anxiety and prevent seizures, sedative medications are used under a doctor’s supervision. Specific drugs and amounts are decided only after an examination — never through self-medication or “prescriptions from the internet.”
The Plan After the IV Drip
An IV drip relieves the acute state but does not treat addiction. That is why the final part of the visit is a conversation about next steps: online follow-up with an addiction specialist in the first days, psychotherapy, and, where appropriate, alcohol “coding” (a treatment widely used in Kazakhstan and CIS countries) after a medical workup, or a rehabilitation program. For people with busy office schedules, follow-up meetings can conveniently be held by video in the evening.
Myths and facts
MythAn IV drip completely cleans alcohol out of the blood
FactAn infusion does not make ethanol break down many times faster. It replaces fluid and electrolytes, supports the organs and reduces withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, and this process takes time, so the doctor focuses on the patient’s condition rather than promising an instant effect.
MythYou can set up a drip yourself by buying solutions at a pharmacy
FactA do-it-yourself infusion is dangerous: without assessing the heart, blood pressure and kidneys, you can cause fluid overload, heart rhythm disturbances or phlebitis. In addition, a layperson will not notice the early signs of delirium. An IV drip is a medical procedure and must be performed only by a healthcare professional.
MythIf you feel better after the drip, treatment is over
FactFeeling better means the acute withdrawal syndrome has been relieved. The mechanisms of addiction — cravings, changes in the brain’s reward system and familiar triggers — remain. Without further treatment, the risk of a new binge is high, so it is important to discuss a support plan with the doctor right away.
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
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 long does an IV drip for a drinking binge take at home?
The infusion itself usually lasts one to three hours, depending on the patient’s condition and the volume of fluids. Add time for the examination and conversation. The online consultation before the visit takes 15–20 minutes and helps shorten the visit, because the doctor already knows the medical history and arrives with the right supplies.
Can I call a doctor at night or on weekends?
Yes. Online consultations are available around the clock, and the home visit is arranged by time and address. In winter, blizzards and icy roads can make travel times longer, especially between the left and right banks, so it is better to reach out early rather than wait until the condition worsens late at night.
Does the patient have to consent to the IV drip?
Yes. Any medical intervention is performed only with the informed, voluntary consent of an adult patient. Relatives can call a doctor and discuss the situation online, but if the person refuses, the drip will not be given. Involuntary care is possible only in cases expressly provided for by Kazakhstan law.
Will my employer find out?
No. Information about your visit is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.” It may be disclosed only in cases provided for by law, for example at the request of a court. For civil servants and office employees, this is often the main reason to seek help anonymously.
When should an IV drip NOT be given at home?
Contraindications for home treatment include seizures, hallucinations, confusion, suspected poisoning with counterfeit alcohol, severe heart disease, high fever and head injury. In these cases, call 103 or 112: hospital admission and inpatient monitoring are needed.
What should I do after the drip to avoid relapsing?
In the first days, sleep, regular meals, enough water and no alcohol are essential. The doctor may arrange online follow-up to track how you feel and monitor cravings. Next, psychotherapy, coding or rehabilitation are discussed — the choice depends on how long the addiction has lasted and on your motivation.
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
