What is ICD-10 code F10.239?

F10.239 is the ICD-10-CM code for Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, unspecified. It sits in subcategory F10.23 (Alcohol dependence with withdrawal), within F10.2 (Alcohol dependence). It records withdrawal in a client with alcohol dependence when the record does not say whether the withdrawal is uncomplicated, with delirium, or with perceptual disturbance.

Is F10.239 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

Yes, F10.239 is a billable code in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM code set (effective October 1, 2026). F10.23 itself is a category header; its billable codes are F10.230 (uncomplicated), F10.231 (withdrawal delirium), F10.232 (with perceptual disturbance), and F10.239 (unspecified).

Is F10.239 the ICD-10 code for alcohol withdrawal?

In the FY2027 Alphabetic Index, "Alcohol, withdrawal", "Abstinence symptoms, alcohol", and "Dependence, alcohol, with withdrawal" all point to F10.239 when nothing more is documented. Withdrawal with delirium goes to F10.231, and withdrawal with perceptual disturbances to F10.232. If the pattern of use is documented as abuse (mild use disorder) or use, the index points to F10.13- or F10.93- instead.

What is the difference between F10.239 and F10.230?

F10.230 (Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, uncomplicated) is for withdrawal documented as uncomplicated. F10.239 is for withdrawal documented without that detail. Under the official guidelines, unspecified codes are for when the record is insufficient to assign a more specific code; once the course is documented, the specific F10.23x code applies.

Can F10.239 be coded with F10.20 or F10.22-?

Not with F10.20. F10.239 already carries the dependence, and F10.20 (Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated) describes dependence without withdrawal, so it does not apply alongside it. Subcategory F10.23 carries an Excludes2 note for alcohol dependence with intoxication (F10.22-), and F10.2 has an Excludes1 note for alcohol abuse (F10.1-) and alcohol use, unspecified (F10.9-). Category F10 adds a note to use an additional code for blood alcohol level (Y90.-), if applicable.

When does alcohol withdrawal start?

According to the Merck Manual, mild withdrawal symptoms usually begin within about 6 hours of stopping. Seizures generally occur 6 to 48 hours after stopping, alcoholic hallucinosis usually within 12 to 24 hours, and delirium tremens usually begins 48 to 72 hours after stopping. Severe withdrawal and delirium tremens call for intensive care.

What scales are used with F10.239?

Two kinds of scale serve different purposes. The CIWA-Ar is a 10-item scale for rating the severity of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome during care (Sullivan et al., 1989). The AUDIT screens for hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorder and is used to track the use pattern over time. Neither makes the diagnosis on its own.

How is alcohol withdrawal treated?

According to the Merck Manual, benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment, and thiamine is given to prevent Wernicke encephalopathy. Phenobarbital can be used alone or with benzodiazepines, with a risk of respiratory depression when combined. People with severe withdrawal or delirium tremens are managed in an intensive care unit.

F10.239ICD-10-CMAlcohol Dependence With Withdrawal, Unspecified

Official ICD-10-CM descriptor: Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, unspecified · Category header, not billable: use a more specific code

Alcohol dependence (moderate or severe alcohol use disorder) with alcohol withdrawal, documented without stating whether the withdrawal is uncomplicated or involves delirium or perceptual disturbance.

F10.239 at a glance

ICD-10-CM F10.239
Substance Use
Category header, not billable: use a more specific code
Recommended screener
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
View scale
Billing the screening
In the US, administering and scoring the scale usually bills under CPT 96127; the session itself under 90791 or 90834/90837. Coverage varies by payer.

Diagnostic and coding summary

F10.239 combines two elements:

Alcohol dependence: in ICD-10-CM, moderate and severe alcohol use disorder are classified to alcohol dependence (F10.2-); the tabular list includes "Alcohol use disorder, moderate" and "Alcohol use disorder, severe" under F10.20. Mild alcohol use disorder is classified to alcohol abuse (F10.1-).
Withdrawal: symptoms after stopping or cutting down heavy, prolonged drinking. The Merck Manual lists tremor, weakness, headache, sweating, hyperreflexia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and sometimes a fast heart rate and slightly raised blood pressure in mild withdrawal.
Unspecified course: the record does not say whether the withdrawal is uncomplicated (F10.230), with delirium (F10.231), or with perceptual disturbance (F10.232).

When the record documents use, abuse, and dependence of alcohol together, the official guidelines say to assign only the code for dependence.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / National Center for Health Statistics. ICD-10-CM Tabular List, Alphabetic Index, and Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2027, Section I.C.5.b; Chary, M. (2025). Alcohol toxicity and withdrawal. Merck Manual Professional Edition.

The F10.23 codes

F10.230, Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, uncomplicated.
F10.231, Alcohol dependence with withdrawal delirium: delirium tremens, with confusion, autonomic instability, and a high risk of death when marked.
F10.232, Alcohol dependence with withdrawal with perceptual disturbance: for example, alcoholic hallucinosis, where hallucinations occur while consciousness remains clear.
F10.239, Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, unspecified.

Differential diagnosis

Alcohol Dependence, Uncomplicated (F10.20), moderate or severe alcohol use disorder without withdrawal or another alcohol-induced disorder.
Alcohol Abuse with Withdrawal (F10.13-), withdrawal in mild alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol Dependence with Intoxication (F10.22-), excluded from F10.23 by an Excludes2 note.
Sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic withdrawal (F13.-), which can look similar; record every substance involved.
Anxiety disorders (F41.-), where tremor, sweating, and restlessness are not linked to stopping alcohol.

Common comorbidities

Alcohol dependence often co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and other substance use. Once withdrawal has passed, screen with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 and code each condition that meets criteria; symptoms during withdrawal itself can overstate both.

Documentation patterns

Initial visit: drinking history, time of the last drink, withdrawal symptoms and their severity (for example, a CIWA-Ar rating), any history of withdrawal seizures or delirium, and whether delirium or perceptual disturbance is present, which decides between F10.230, F10.231, and F10.232.
Follow-up visits: record when withdrawal ends, then move to the code that reflects the current pattern (for example F10.20, or F10.21 in remission), and track drinking with the AUDIT.

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Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code F10.239?
F10.239 is the ICD-10-CM code for Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, unspecified. It sits in subcategory F10.23 (Alcohol dependence with withdrawal), within F10.2 (Alcohol dependence). It records withdrawal in a client with alcohol dependence when the record does not say whether the withdrawal is uncomplicated, with delirium, or with perceptual disturbance.
Is F10.239 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
Yes, F10.239 is a billable code in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM code set (effective October 1, 2026). F10.23 itself is a category header; its billable codes are F10.230 (uncomplicated), F10.231 (withdrawal delirium), F10.232 (with perceptual disturbance), and F10.239 (unspecified).
Is F10.239 the ICD-10 code for alcohol withdrawal?
In the FY2027 Alphabetic Index, "Alcohol, withdrawal", "Abstinence symptoms, alcohol", and "Dependence, alcohol, with withdrawal" all point to F10.239 when nothing more is documented. Withdrawal with delirium goes to F10.231, and withdrawal with perceptual disturbances to F10.232. If the pattern of use is documented as abuse (mild use disorder) or use, the index points to F10.13- or F10.93- instead.
What is the difference between F10.239 and F10.230?
F10.230 (Alcohol dependence with withdrawal, uncomplicated) is for withdrawal documented as uncomplicated. F10.239 is for withdrawal documented without that detail. Under the official guidelines, unspecified codes are for when the record is insufficient to assign a more specific code; once the course is documented, the specific F10.23x code applies.
Can F10.239 be coded with F10.20 or F10.22-?
Not with F10.20. F10.239 already carries the dependence, and F10.20 (Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated) describes dependence without withdrawal, so it does not apply alongside it. Subcategory F10.23 carries an Excludes2 note for alcohol dependence with intoxication (F10.22-), and F10.2 has an Excludes1 note for alcohol abuse (F10.1-) and alcohol use, unspecified (F10.9-). Category F10 adds a note to use an additional code for blood alcohol level (Y90.-), if applicable.
When does alcohol withdrawal start?
According to the Merck Manual, mild withdrawal symptoms usually begin within about 6 hours of stopping. Seizures generally occur 6 to 48 hours after stopping, alcoholic hallucinosis usually within 12 to 24 hours, and delirium tremens usually begins 48 to 72 hours after stopping. Severe withdrawal and delirium tremens call for intensive care.
What scales are used with F10.239?
Two kinds of scale serve different purposes. The CIWA-Ar is a 10-item scale for rating the severity of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome during care (Sullivan et al., 1989). The AUDIT screens for hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorder and is used to track the use pattern over time. Neither makes the diagnosis on its own.
How is alcohol withdrawal treated?
According to the Merck Manual, benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment, and thiamine is given to prevent Wernicke encephalopathy. Phenobarbital can be used alone or with benzodiazepines, with a risk of respiratory depression when combined. People with severe withdrawal or delirium tremens are managed in an intensive care unit.

Sources

1. 1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2026). ICD-10-CM Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries, FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026).
2. 2.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2026). ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries, FY2027.
3. 3.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2026). ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2027, Sections I.A.9 and I.C.5.b.
1. 4.Chary, M. (2025). Alcohol toxicity and withdrawal. Merck Manual Professional Edition.
2. 5.Sullivan, J. T., Sykora, K., Schneiderman, J., Naranjo, C. A., & Sellers, E. M. (1989). Assessment of alcohol withdrawal: The revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol scale (CIWA-Ar). British Journal of Addiction, 84(11), 1353–1357.
3. 6.Babor, T. F., Higgins-Biddle, J. C., Saunders, J. B., & Monteiro, M. G. (2001). AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Guidelines for Use in Primary Care, World Health Organization.