Alcohol-related disorders are classified under ICD-10-CM category F10. These codes are used when a patient has problems related to alcohol use, such as abuse, dependence, intoxication, or withdrawal.
Use of Blood Alcohol Level Code (Y90.-)
If the medical record documents the patient’s blood alcohol level (BAL), you may assign an additional code from category Y90.- along with the F10 code.
Important points:
The provider does not have to document the blood alcohol level themselves.
If the lab report or medical record shows BAL and the provider diagnoses an alcohol-related disorder (F10), you can still code Y90.-.
Alcohol Abuse vs Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol Abuse (F10.1-)
Alcohol abuse means the patient repeatedly drinks alcohol despite negative consequences such as:
Family problems
Job issues
Health problems
Legal trouble
Alcohol abuse is coded to subcategory F10.1.
Further characters specify conditions like:
Intoxication
Withdrawal
Mood disorder
Psychotic disorder
Other alcohol-induced disorders
Alcohol Abuse with Withdrawal Codes
Use these when the patient has withdrawal symptoms:
F10.130 – Alcohol abuse with withdrawal, uncomplicated
F10.131 – Alcohol abuse with withdrawal delirium
F10.132 – Alcohol abuse with withdrawal with perceptual disturbance
F10.139 – Alcohol abuse with withdrawal, unspecified
Alcohol Dependence (F10.2-)
Alcohol dependence means the patient shows signs such as:
Tolerance (needs more alcohol for same effect)
Cravings
Withdrawal symptoms
Loss of control over drinking
Alcohol dependence is coded to subcategory F10.2.
Alcohol Dependence with Withdrawal (F10.23-)
These codes include a sixth character to describe the type of withdrawal, such as:
With delirium
With perceptual disturbance
Uncomplicated
Coding Intoxication (Drunkenness)
Simple drunkenness → F10.129 (Alcohol abuse with intoxication, unspecified)
Acute drunkenness in alcoholism → F10.229 (Alcohol dependence with intoxication, unspecified)
Chronic drunkenness → F10.20 (Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated)
Chronic drunkenness in remission → F10.21 (Alcohol dependence, in remission)
👉 Important:
Code F10.21 (In remission) should only be used if the provider clearly documents remission based on clinical judgment per ICD-10 guidelines (not just nursing notes).
Alcohol Abuse in Remission
If the record states alcohol abuse in remission, assign:
F10.11 – Alcohol abuse, in remission
(This includes mild alcohol use disorder in early or sustained remission.)
When Documentation Is Vague
If the provider only writes “alcohol use” without saying abuse or dependence and there are no mental or behavioral disorders documented, assign:
👉 F10.90 – Alcohol use, unspecified, uncomplicated
Important Exclusion – Toxic Effect of Alcohol
If the patient has toxic effects of alcohol (poisoning), do NOT use F10 codes.
Instead, code to:
👉 T51.0 – Toxic effect of alcohol
