ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAlcohol

Alcohol

ICD-10 Coding for Alcohol-Related Disorders(F10.1, F10.2, F10.9)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPrimary Care
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Alcohol?
Essential facts and insights about Alcohol-Related Disorders

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Evidence of alcohol use leading to significant impairment or distress, including but not limited to cravings, loss of control over use, and continued use despite negative consequences.
  • Laboratory findings may include elevated liver enzymes (e.g., AST, ALT) or other biomarkers indicative of alcohol use.
  • Physical examination may reveal signs of intoxication, withdrawal symptoms, or complications such as liver disease.
  • Imaging findings may include liver ultrasound showing fatty liver or cirrhosis in chronic alcohol users.
  • Severity criteria include the number of criteria met from the DSM-5 for Alcohol Use Disorder, ranging from mild (2-3 criteria) to severe (6 or more criteria).

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Documentation must include a clear diagnosis of alcohol-related disorder, including the specific type (e.g., alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse).
  • Specific terminology such as 'alcohol use disorder', 'alcohol dependence', or 'alcohol abuse' must be used consistently.
  • Examples include documenting the patient's history of alcohol use, any withdrawal symptoms, and the impact on daily functioning.
  • Medical necessity must be established through documentation of the patient's symptoms and the need for treatment.
  • Quality measures may require documentation of screening results, treatment plans, and follow-up care.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use F10.1 for alcohol abuse when the patient exhibits harmful use without dependence; use F10.2 for alcohol dependence when the patient meets criteria for dependence.
  • Do not use these codes for patients with alcohol use that does not meet the criteria for abuse or dependence.
  • F10.9 is used for unspecified alcohol-related disorder when the specific type is not documented.
  • Common errors include misclassifying alcohol abuse as dependence or vice versa; ensure documentation supports the selected code.
  • In complex cases, consider the full clinical picture and document all relevant criteria to support the chosen code.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes conditions such as alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (F10.5) and alcohol withdrawal syndrome (F10.239).
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions should be used based on the specific diagnosis.
  • Conditions are excluded because they represent distinct clinical entities requiring different management.
  • Common mistakes include using alcohol-related disorder codes for conditions that are not primarily related to alcohol use.
  • Related but distinct conditions include substance use disorders for other substances, which have separate coding.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
F10.1
Alcohol abuse
F10.2
Alcohol dependence
F10.9
Alcohol-related disorder, unspecified
Ancillary Codes
Y90
Differential Codes
F10.2
F10.1

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Primary Care

Specialty Applications

  • Applies to patients with a history of alcohol use that impacts their health and functioning.
  • Patient populations include adults and adolescents with risk factors such as family history of alcohol use disorder.
  • Clinical settings include primary care, addiction treatment centers, and emergency departments.
  • Specialty-specific applications may involve psychiatry, addiction medicine, and gastroenterology.
  • Treatment contexts include outpatient counseling, inpatient rehabilitation, and medication-assisted treatment.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with alcohol use disorder based on clinical findings of [specific symptoms].'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with alcohol dependence including [specific symptoms].'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder met as evidenced by [specific findings].'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for alcohol dependence with interventions including [specific treatments].'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for alcohol use disorder including monitoring of [specific parameters].'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation must include a detailed history of alcohol use, symptoms, and any related health issues.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Alcohol use disorder is characterized by specific criteria that differentiate it from other substance use disorders.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is clearly documented to support medical necessity for treatment and reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated procedures include alcohol screening tests and counseling sessions.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include screening rates for alcohol use and follow-up care documentation.