Alcohol coding at a glance
Alcohol coding is a medical procedure a person chooses for themselves to make it easier not to drink. At FAVOR, a doctor performs it after an exam, a check for contraindications and written consent. Before the procedure, the person must stay sober for a certain time. Coding does not treat addiction on its own, so the doctor recommends combining it with sessions with a psychologist.
- At the FAVOR clinic in Kyiv. We’ll give you the address by phone.
- An addiction doctor, after an in-person exam
- Sobriety before the procedure and voluntary written consent
- from 4,500 UAH
Who coding may suit, and when something else comes first
Alcohol coding is considered for a person who has decided on their own to stop drinking and has already been sober for a while. If the person is on a binge right now, they first need help ending it, and coding is discussed later. The doctor decides whether the procedure suits you at an in-person consultation, not over the phone.
Worth discussing with a doctor
- The person wants coding themselves rather than agreeing under pressure
- They have been sober for as many days as the doctor specified
- They are ready to come for an exam and be honest about their health and medications
- They understand that coding is part of the help, not all of it
The doctor will first suggest something else
- The person is on a binge now or has severe withdrawal: alcohol withdrawal treatment comes first
- They are against coding, while family members push to “get them coded”
- Stopping alcohol has caused seizures, delirium or hallucinations before
- They have serious heart, liver or kidney disease, or a mental disorder that has worsened
- Besides alcohol, the person uses other substances
Contraindications to coding
Contraindications depend on the method and on the person’s condition. The doctor checks them at the consultation, before you sign the consent form. If there are any, coding is not done and another approach is offered.
When to call 103 instead of booking an appointment
Coding is a planned procedure. If the person feels unwell right now and their life is at risk, they need an ambulance. Call 103 first; you can call us afterwards.
- the person can’t be woken up or has lost consciousness;
- breathing is slow, raspy or has pauses;
- seizures have started;
- the person doesn’t recognize loved ones, or sees or hears things that aren’t there;
- chest pain or pressure, a pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath;
- vomiting blood or dark material that looks like coffee grounds;
- the person has been coded and felt unwell after drinking: tell the ambulance crew;
- the person talks about suicide or threatens to harm themselves.
While you wait for the ambulance, don’t leave the person alone. If they are lying down and vomiting, turn them on their side.
How alcohol coding works
Alcohol coding at FAVOR takes five steps: a call, a doctor’s consultation, a period of sobriety, consent, and the procedure itself. Afterwards, it’s important that the person isn’t left alone with the decision to stop drinking. How long each step takes depends on the person’s condition and the method the doctor recommends.
-
Call
Tell us how much and for how long the person has been drinking, when they last drank, and whether they’ve tried coding before. You can call on someone else’s behalf. We’ll explain how to prepare and book a consultation.
-
Doctor’s consultation
The doctor asks about health, illnesses and medications, examines the person and checks for contraindications. They explain which options are appropriate, what each means in practice, and what its limits are.
-
Sobriety before the procedure
Coding is done only when the person is sober. The doctor will tell you at the consultation how many days without alcohol are needed: it depends on the method and the person’s condition. If they can’t stop drinking on their own, they first get help ending the binge.
-
Written consent
Before the procedure, the doctor explains again how it works, for how long, what happens if the person drinks, and what side effects are possible. The person signs the consent form personally and voluntarily. Without it, coding is not done.
-
The procedure and after
The doctor chooses the method and duration together with the person. After the procedure, the doctor explains what to do next and recommends support from a psychologist or group sessions.
How much alcohol coding costs
The cost of alcohol coding depends on the method and duration the doctor recommends. The price in the table is the starting point. The doctor quotes the exact amount at the consultation, before the person signs the consent form. Phone calls are free.
| Service | What’s included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor’s consultation | In-person exam, contraindication check, explanation of options. Phone consultations are free. | from 1 000 UAH |
| Coding | A procedure the doctor chooses after the exam. | from 4 500 UAH |
Who provides the consultation and coding
Consultations and alcohol coding are provided by doctors at the FAVOR clinic. Below are their categories and years of experience, as confirmed by the clinic.
How we keep it confidential
Contacting FAVOR is confidential. You can describe the situation by phone without giving a surname. Only the person, the doctor and those the person chooses to tell know about the consultation and the procedure. We don’t share data from website requests with third parties.
- You can call on someone else’s behalf without giving their name.
- The consent form for coding is signed by the patient, not by family members.
- How form data is processed: see the “Privacy policy”.
If you want coding, but your loved one doesn’t
A person cannot be coded without their consent: the procedure is done only when the person signs the consent form themselves. Families can do other things: talk calmly, pass on the doctor’s number and look after themselves. You can call for advice even if your loved one isn’t ready yet.
- Talk when the person is sober, not in the middle of a binge or an argument.
- Speak about your feelings and the facts: “I’m scared when you don’t come home,” not “You’re an alcoholic.”
- Don’t promise anything on the doctor’s behalf, such as “one shot and that’s it.”
- Don’t slip medication into food or drinks. It’s dangerous, and a doctor will never advise it.
- Offer to come to the consultation together, if the person doesn’t mind.
- If the person has agreed, help them stay sober until the appointment: remove alcohol from the house.
Families need support too. FAVOR has a psychotherapist who counsels families of people with addiction.
Frequently asked questions about alcohol coding
-
How much does alcohol coding cost in Kyiv?
At FAVOR, coding costs from 4,500 UAH, and an in-person doctor’s consultation from 1,000 UAH. The final price depends on the method and duration the doctor recommends. The amount is quoted at the consultation, before the consent form is signed. Prices are valid as of 17.10.2026 and are not a public offer.
-
How many days do I need to stay sober before coding?
Before coding, the person must be sober for a certain time. Exactly how long depends on the method and their health, so the doctor gives the exact period at the consultation. If they can’t stop drinking on their own, they first get help ending the binge, at home or as an inpatient.
-
Can someone be coded without their knowledge?
No. Coding is done only with the person’s own voluntary written consent, after the doctor has explained what to expect. Slipping medication “secretly” into food or a drink is dangerous to health. If your loved one isn’t ready, call us yourself: we’ll suggest how to start the conversation.
-
Which coding methods do you use?
The doctor chooses the method together with the patient after the exam, taking into account their health, contraindications and wishes. We don’t list drug names on the website.
-
Will coding work forever?
No one can honestly promise that. Coding does not cure addiction; it only helps a person stay away from alcohol for a certain time. That’s why doctors recommend combining it with psychotherapy, support groups and work with the family. The doctor will explain at the consultation what you can expect.
-
What happens if someone drinks after coding?
It depends on the method. The doctor explains the risks in detail before the procedure, and they are set out in the consent form the patient signs. If the person feels unwell after drinking (shortness of breath, chest pain, a pounding heartbeat, loss of consciousness), call 103 and say they have had coding.
-
How long does coding last?
The doctor discusses the duration with the person at the consultation, based on the method and the person’s decision. A longer period doesn’t by itself mean a better result. What matters more is what the person does during that time: works with a psychologist, attends groups, changes habits.
-
Will my employer find out?
Contacting us is confidential. We’ll explain by phone how paperwork is handled for anonymous requests.
Who signed off and what it’s based on
Author
Medical reviewer
- Published
- Updated
- Medically reviewed
Other help
-
— Alcohol withdrawal treatment at homeAlcohol withdrawal treatment at home
-
— Inpatient alcohol withdrawal treatmentInpatient alcohol withdrawal treatment
-
— Alcohol addiction rehabilitationAlcohol addiction rehabilitation
-
— 28-Day Program28-Day Program
-
— Aftercare supportAftercare support
Book a doctor’s consultation
Tell us what’s going on, and we’ll explain whether coding makes sense now and how to prepare. A loved one can call too, anonymously.