Alcohol-induced persisting dementia

This code represents a chronic, irreversible cognitive decline characterized by memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or disturbance in executive functioning, directly attributable to the neurotoxic effects of chronic alcohol abuse. The cognitive deficits are severe enough to cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning and persist beyond the usual duration of alcohol withdrawal.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of dementia where alcohol is identified as the primary etiological factor, and the cognitive impairment is persistent. This diagnosis requires evidence of prolonged, heavy alcohol consumption and a temporal relationship between alcohol use and the onset or exacerbation of cognitive deficits.

• Ensure documentation differentiates this from acute alcohol-induced delirium or other transient cognitive disorders.
• Code any associated alcohol dependence or abuse separately, typically as a secondary diagnosis.
• Review the patient's history for other potential causes of dementia to confirm alcohol as the primary etiology.