1) Recognize the problem and the solution. Face the truth: your use is out of control and you can’t cope on your own. Admitting “I am an addict” is not a defeat, but a bold and important step towards recovery. Believe me, thousands of people have been in your place and were able to change their lives. Say to yourself: “Yes, I have an addiction, but I want to get rid of it.” This firm decision will become the foundation for further actions.

2) Don’t be alone. Addiction loves isolation – break it. Try to confide in someone close to you or a friend you trust. Admit your problem and ask for help. Yes, it’s scary – you may be afraid of being judged – but the support of your loved ones will dramatically increase your chances. If there is no one to whom you can open up, contact specialists immediately (step 3).

3) Seek professional help. Don’t try to quit drugs completely alone, without support – in most cases, this leads to relapses. Use the resources available:

• Call an anonymous hotline. There are several helplines in Kazakhstan. One of them is the Narkostop project (+7 747 461 6701), where consultants will listen without judgment and tell you where to go. Calls are confidential.
• Contact a narcologist. You can come to any narcological office or to the Mental Health Center. State narcological services in Kazakhstan provide assistance free of charge: for example, there are outpatient offices and inpatient departments at mental health centers in almost all regions. Your visit and treatment there are anonymous. The doctor will assess your condition, the degree of addiction and offer options: medication, detoxification, rehabilitation.
• Consider contacting a rehabilitation center. There are many specialized centers (state, private, public). State ones are departments at psychiatric clinics (medication and psychotherapy). Private rehab centers - different methods (12 steps, occupational therapy, etc.), the conditions of stay vary. Through the project "Narkostop" you can get a referral to a proven rehabilitation center.
• Accept help from a psychologist. Narcopsychologists and addiction consultants help to understand the roots of the problem and develop new motivation. You can get free consultations from a psychologist within the framework of the same project "Narkostop" or at the clinic. Do not hesitate to talk to a psychologist - it is confidential, and their support really works.

4)Undergo detoxification (medical cleansing). If you have already developed physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms (abstinence syndrome) without the drug, the first thing you need is to relieve withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision. In a hospital setting (or outpatient, on the recommendation of a doctor), you will undergo detox therapy: IVs, medications that alleviate symptoms, support for the cardiovascular system, etc. This will help safely remove the drug from the body and reduce the suffering during withdrawal. Important: abrupt withdrawal without medical assistance can be dangerous to health in the case of severe dependence, so do not ignore this step. If withdrawal symptoms are suddenly very severe and there is a threat to life, call an ambulance. Ambulance teams in Kazakhstan are trained to help with overdoses and acute drug addiction.

5) Rehabilitation. Detox is just the beginning. Next, you need to undergo a course of rehabilitation to overcome psychological dependence and learn to live without drugs. As a rule, rehabilitation includes:

• Psychotherapy (individual and group). Specialists will work with you, helping you understand why you started using, how to cope with cravings, how to solve problems differently.
• Educational sessions. You will be told about the nature of addiction, taught skills to cope with stress, manage emotions, and communicate.
• Occupational therapy, sports, daily routine. In rehabilitation centers, the daily routine is often scheduled: shared responsibilities, physical exercise, healthy eating. This disciplines and restores the body.
• Community support. You will meet the same guys who want to quit drugs. Together you will go to sobriety, and this mutual assistance is very motivating. The full course usually lasts 6 months (in some cases longer). According to statistics, the longer the rehabilitation, the higher the chance of remission. World statistics show that only about 15% of addicts achieve stable remission after therapy, but this number increases with good post-rehabilitation support. Therefore, do not spare time for treatment - you are laying the foundation for a new life.

6) Join a support group. After the main treatment, it is extremely important not to be left alone with the old environment and problems. Visit groups of anonymous narcotics (NA) or other support groups. In Almaty and other large cities, NA holds regular meetings (you can find out the contacts by calling the hotline "Narcostop"). "Narcostop" also runs its own sobriety groups for rehabilitation graduates. In the groups, you will communicate with people who have also quit drugs and support each other sober. It is free and confidential. Practice shows that those who attend 12-step groups have a much higher chance of not breaking down.

7) Change your environment and lifestyle. Living sober will require you to change your habits:

• If possible, avoid the old company with which you used drugs. At least for the first time for sure - this is a trigger. Stop contact with dealers.
• Remove everything related to drugs from your home (any paraphernalia). If some places evoke memories - try not to visit them.
• Occupy your time with positive things: sports, creativity, study or work. Find a new hobby or remember an old one that brought joy before drugs. It will be boring without something to do, and boredom is a dangerous factor for relapse (according to surveys, 44% of drug addicts started using out of boredom and curiosity).
• Strengthen your health: nutrition, vitamins, sleep. Drugs have weakened your body, it needs restorative therapy. See a doctor to treat possible diseases, get checked.

8) Work with a psychologist on the causes. Often, addiction is caused by psychological problems: depression, trauma, lack of skills to cope with stress. In order not to return to drugs, it is important to eliminate these root causes. Continue (or start) working with a psychotherapist - there are now many centers where you can get consultations for free or at an affordable price. Work through negative beliefs, learn to enjoy life again.

9) Plan for the future and set goals. Drugs have put your life on hold, but now it’s time to get your dreams and goals back. Gradually begin to implement your plans: go back to school, think about a new job, rebuild relationships with people you trust. Move forward in small steps. This will give meaning to life and distract you from thoughts about drugs. Perhaps it’s worth changing the environment – ​​for example, moving, starting a new project. Be careful: don’t overload yourself at once, take one step at a time so as not to provoke stress.

10) Don't be afraid of relapses, work on your mistakes. If you suddenly have a relapse, don't torment yourself with guilt. Analyze - what was the trigger? Learn your lesson and strengthen your support system (go to groups more often, call a mentor, see a doctor - you may need medication for cravings). Remember that addiction creates a strong craving, especially with synthetic drugs, which are very addictive and provoke "marathons" - continuous use. Cravings can roll in waves even after months of sobriety. But with each month without drugs, these waves will weaken. The main thing is to hold on and in moments of temptation, immediately seek help (call a mentor, a friend, go to a group meeting - anything, just not to reach for a dose).