Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic abuse w mood disorder

This code signifies a pattern of problematic use of sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, specifically when this abuse has induced a mood disorder. The mood disturbance is directly attributable to the substance use, rather than an independent psychiatric condition.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates both abuse of a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic substance and a co-occurring mood disorder (e.g., depressive episode, manic episode) that is directly caused by the substance abuse. This is appropriate when the provider explicitly links the mood disorder to the substance use.

• Ensure documentation specifies "abuse" rather than "dependence" or "use," as these have distinct ICD-10-CM codes.
• Verify the mood disorder is explicitly stated as "substance-induced" by the sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic.
• Do not use this code if the mood disorder predates or is independent of the substance abuse; consider codes for primary mood disorders and substance abuse without induced conditions.