Alcohol Withdrawal ICD-10-CM Codes

What alcohol withdrawal ICD codes can I use?

Here are several alcohol withdrawal ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes you can use:

• F10.130 - Alcohol abuse with withdrawal, uncomplicated

This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to be abusing alcohol, and they're going through withdrawal, and their withdrawal doesn't have any complications.

• F10.131 - Alcohol abuse with withdrawal delirium

This ICD-10-CM code is used for a patient confirmed to have alcohol abuse who is experiencing withdrawal with delirium. Withdrawal delirium, also called delirium tremens, is considered the most severe complication of alcohol withdrawal and is characterized by hallucinations, disorientation, anxiety, and tremors.

• F10.132 - Alcohol abuse with withdrawal with perceptual disturbance

This ICD-10-CM code is used for a patient confirmed to have alcohol abuse who is experiencing withdrawal with perceptual disturbance, characterized by auditory and visual hallucinations or illusions. They also have tactile hallucinations/illusions, which means that the patient touches something but feels something different than they're supposed to based on the object's physical qualities (e.g., a pillow being hard even if it's supposed to be soft). 

• F10.230 - Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, uncomplicated

This code applies when the patient has alcohol dependence rather than abuse and is experiencing uncomplicated alcohol withdrawal.

• F10.231 - Alcohol dependence with withdrawal delirium

Similar to F10.131, but applied when the patient has alcohol dependence rather than alcohol abuse.

• F10.232 - Alcohol dependence with withdrawal with perceptual disturbance

This is the same as F10.132, but this time, the patient is just dependent on alcohol, not abusing it.

Additional coding guidance includes the following:

• When appropriate, use additional codes to identify blood alcohol level (alcohol level if applicable).
• For alcohol use disorder, moderate or alcohol use disorder severe, select appropriate codes.
• Differentiate between dependence without rehabilitation therapy and dependence with rehabilitation therapy.
• Note that some patients may be dependent and leave AMA (against medical advice).

Are these alcohol withdrawal ICD codes billable?

Yes. All the aforementioned alcohol withdrawal-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.

Clinical information about alcohol withdrawal

• Alcohol withdrawal is a symptom that may occur when a person consuming alcohol heavily regularly stops drinking abruptly.
• Symptoms can range from mild anxiety and fatigue to severe complications, such as seizures and delirium tremens (also known as DTs). Symptoms typically appear within 8 hours after the last drink, but can occur days later.
• Common symptoms include trouble sleeping, shaky hands, nervousness or anxiety, nausea or vomiting, and sweating.
• More severe symptoms may include hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't there), seizures, and fever.
• Medical treatment is often necessary for severe cases of alcohol withdrawal, and hospitalization may be required. It is also important to evaluate possible major complications or comorbidities (MCC).
• Medications may be used to treat symptoms and prevent further complications.
• Psychotherapy and support groups can also assist with long-term management of alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder.

Synonyms include

• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
• Alcohol dependence with withdrawal unspecified
• Uncomplicated alcohol withdrawal
• Alcohol withdrawal uncomplicated
• Alcohol withdrawal delirium
• Alcohol withdrawal hallucinosis
• Perceptual disturbance due to alcohol withdrawal
• Perceptual disturbances and seizures co-occurring and due to alcohol withdrawal

Popular search terms for this ICD cluster

• Alcohol, drug abuse, or dependence
• Alcohol dependence uncomplicated
• Abuse or dependence without withdrawal
• Abuse or dependence, left AMA
• Alcohol related disorders
• Alcohol, drug abuse, or dependence without rehabilitation therapy without MCC
• Alcohol, drug abuse, or dependence without rehabilitation therapy with MCC
• Mood disorder
• Alcohol, alcoholic (ethyl) (methyl) (without remission)