Alcohol abuse with withdrawal delirium

This code signifies a pattern of problematic alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, specifically complicated by the presence of withdrawal delirium. Withdrawal delirium, also known as delirium tremens (DTs), is a severe and potentially life-threatening form of alcohol withdrawal characterized by acute confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, and autonomic instability.

This code is appropriate when a patient meets the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and is actively experiencing withdrawal delirium. Documentation should clearly indicate a history of problematic alcohol use and describe the acute onset of delirium symptoms during alcohol cessation or reduction. This code requires physician documentation of both alcohol abuse and the specific manifestation of withdrawal delirium.

• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.
• Distinguish from uncomplicated alcohol withdrawal (F10.130) or alcohol dependence with withdrawal delirium (F10.231).
• Ensure documentation explicitly states "withdrawal delirium" and not just "delirium" in the context of alcohol withdrawal.