The ICD-10-CM code for alcohol withdrawal is F10.239 (Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, unspecified), a billable code reported when a patient with alcohol dependence presents with withdrawal and the specific type is not documented.
Primary codes
Billable
Billable
Extension
—
7th character
—
POA exempt
No
Coding risks
- Assigning when documentation supports a more specific code
Hierarchy
Code comparison
Compare key differences between related codes to select the most specific option.
| Code | Description | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| F10.239 | Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, unspecified | Alcohol dependence with withdrawal documented, but no specification of delirium, perceptual disturbance, or uncomplicated status. |
| F10.230 | Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, uncomplicated | Alcohol dependence with active withdrawal documented, no delirium or perceptual disturbance noted. |
| F10.231 | Alcohol dependence with withdrawal delirium | Alcohol dependence with withdrawal complicated by delirium tremens documented during the withdrawal episode. |
| F10.232 | Alcohol dependence with withdrawal with perceptual disturbance | Alcohol dependence in withdrawal with hallucinations or perceptual disturbances documented, without delirium. |
| F10.20 | Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated | Alcohol dependence documented without any current withdrawal symptoms or other specified complications. |
Select the most specific code supported by the encounter documentation. More specific codes improve reimbursement accuracy and reduce audit risk.
Code ranges
Alcohol dependence
Category for alcohol dependence, including intoxication, withdrawal, mood and psychotic disorders, and other alcohol-induced conditions.
Mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use
Sub-chapter covering disorders arising from alcohol, opioid, sedative, stimulant, hallucinogen, and other psychoactive substance use.
Alcohol abuse
Category for alcohol abuse without dependence, including intoxication, mood, psychotic, and other alcohol-induced disorders.
Alcohol use, unspecified
Category for alcohol use without documented abuse or dependence, including associated intoxication, withdrawal, and induced disorders.
Symptoms and signs involving general sensations and perceptions
Category for hallucinations and other perceptual disturbances not attributed to a specific underlying disorder.
Coding risks
Avoid these common coding issues when reporting Alcohol Withdrawal.
Impact
Assigning F10.239 without explicit dependence language may miscode as alcohol abuse with withdrawal (F10.13x) or use (F10.93x).
Mitigation
Consider querying the provider when use pattern is absent rather than inferring from CIWA scores or detox admission alone.
Related codes
Ancillary and co-coding
Codes commonly reported with the primary diagnosis on the same claim.
Z-code variants
Family history, personal history, or screening encounter codes related to this condition.
In pregnancy
Pregnancy-specific O-code adaptations used in place of the primary when the condition occurs during or complicates pregnancy.
Differential codes
Alternative or commonly confused codes to consider when documentation suggests a different condition than the primary diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
No. F10.1- and F10.2- carry an Excludes1 relationship, so only one alcohol use disorder severity may be coded per encounter.
References
Compiled from the following authoritative coding references. Last updated 2026-08-04.