Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol

This code signifies the adverse systemic effects resulting from exposure to an unspecified type of alcohol. It encompasses a range of toxic manifestations, from acute intoxication to more severe organ damage, when the specific chemical composition of the ingested or absorbed alcohol is not documented.

Use this code when a patient presents with symptoms of alcohol poisoning or toxicity, and the medical record explicitly states "unspecified alcohol" or lacks information regarding the specific type (e.g., ethanol, methanol, ethylene glycol). This code is appropriate when the clinician cannot differentiate between various toxic alcohols based on available information.

• Always attempt to identify the specific type of alcohol involved (e.g., ethanol, methanol) before resorting to this unspecified code.
• Do not use this code for chronic alcohol abuse or dependence; those conditions have separate codes.
• Sequence this code as a principal diagnosis when it is the primary reason for the encounter, followed by codes for specific manifestations of the toxicity.