ICD-10 Code for Alcohol Abuse, Uncomplicated (F10.10)

The ICD-10-CM code for alcohol abuse, uncomplicated (F10.10) is used to document and report cases where an individual demonstrates a maladaptive pattern of alcohol use that causes clinically significant impairment or distress—without associated complications such as intoxication, withdrawal, or alcohol-induced disorders.
Accurate use of this code is essential for medical billing, claims processing, population health tracking, and compliance with payer and regulatory requirements.

ICD Code Description

ICD-10-CM Code: F10.10
Diagnosis: Alcohol abuse, uncomplicated

This diagnosis applies when a patient’s alcohol use leads to functional, social, occupational, or health-related problems, but does not meet criteria for alcohol dependence and is not accompanied by acute or chronic complications.

Key Characteristics

Ongoing problematic alcohol use
Clinically significant impairment or distress
No intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, psychosis, or mood disorder related to alcohol
No dependence diagnosis

Category & Code Type

ICD-10-CM Chapter

Chapter 5: Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (F01–F99)

Code Type

Billable/Specific Code: Yes
F10.10 is valid for reimbursement purposes

Includes / Excludes Notes

Includes:

Maladaptive pattern of alcohol use causing harm

Excludes:

Alcohol dependence (F10.2-)
Alcohol abuse in remission (F10.11)
Alcohol intoxication (F10.12-)
Alcohol withdrawal (F10.13-)
Alcohol-induced mental disorders (F10.14–F10.19)

Coders must select a more specific F10 code if complications are documented.

Coding Guidelines

When assigning F10.10, the following ICD-10-CM guidelines apply:

Code based on provider documentation, not assumptions
Do not code abuse and dependence together—dependence supersedes abuse
If intoxication, withdrawal, or another alcohol-induced condition is documented, code that condition instead
Use only when the condition is current and active, not historical or in remission

Billing Considerations

Reimbursement Impact

F10.10 is commonly used in primary care, behavioral health, emergency, and outpatient settings
Supports medical necessity for counseling, screening, brief intervention, and behavioral health services

Payer Considerations

Many payers require clear clinical documentation of impairment or risk
May trigger utilization management or behavioral health carve-outs
Often paired with screening tools (e.g., AUDIT, CAGE) to support necessity

Documentation Tips

To support accurate coding and avoid denials, documentation should clearly include:

Evidence of problematic alcohol use
Description of functional impairment or distress
Clinical assessment distinguishing abuse vs. dependence
Explicit notation that the condition is uncomplicated
Treatment plan (counseling, education, referral, monitoring)

Avoid vague statements like “drinks socially” without clinical relevance.

Common Clinical Examples

A patient reports repeated alcohol-related work absences but shows no withdrawal symptoms
Primary care visit identifies risky alcohol use affecting family relationships
Behavioral health evaluation notes alcohol abuse without dependence or intoxication
Preventive visit reveals ongoing alcohol misuse requiring counseling

Common Errors & Denials

Frequent mistakes include:

Using F10.10 when dependence criteria are met
Coding uncomplicated abuse when intoxication or withdrawal is documented
Lack of documentation supporting clinical significance
Coding historical alcohol abuse that is no longer active

These errors can result in claim denials or downcoding.

Key Takeaways

F10.10 represents active alcohol abuse without complications
It is a billable ICD-10-CM code under mental and behavioral disorders
Accurate documentation is critical to distinguish abuse from dependence
Proper use supports reimbursement for counseling and behavioral health services
Always code the most specific condition documented

FAQ:

What is the ICD-10 code for alcohol abuse, uncomplicated?

The correct ICD-10-CM code is F10.10.

Is F10.10 billable?

Yes, F10.10 is a billable and reimbursable diagnosis code.

What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence?

Alcohol abuse involves problematic use causing impairment, while dependence includes tolerance, withdrawal, and loss of control. Dependence is coded to F10.2- and supersedes abuse.

Can F10.10 be used with intoxication or withdrawal codes?

No. If intoxication or withdrawal is present, a more specific F10 code must be used instead.

Can F10.10 be used for screening visits?

Yes, when screening identifies clinically significant alcohol misuse requiring intervention and documentation supports the diagnosis.