ICD-10 code for alcohol use, unspecified with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, with hallucinations

F10.951 is the ICD-10 code for alcohol use, unspecified with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, with hallucinations.

This diagnosis applies when an individual experiences hallucinations directly caused by alcohol use, but their specific alcohol use pattern does not meet criteria for mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder.

Accurate coding for F10.951 helps clinicians document the relationship between alcohol consumption and psychotic symptoms while supporting proper treatment planning and insurance authorization.

Key features:

• Applies when alcohol use causes hallucinations but doesn't meet full alcohol use disorder criteria
• Distinguishes alcohol-related hallucinations from other substance-induced psychotic conditions
• Requires clear temporal connection between alcohol use and hallucinatory symptoms
• Often involves auditory hallucinations that may persist during withdrawal periods

Diagnostic criteria for alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (F10.951)

The diagnosis requires presence of hallucinations that develop during alcohol intoxication or withdrawal, with evidence from clinical history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the symptoms are directly caused by alcohol use effects.

The hallucinations must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning.

Chronic alcohol consumption can result in a distinct organic psychotic condition, most commonly presenting with auditory hallucinations that differentiate from typical withdrawal symptoms.

These perceptual disturbances typically occur while the individual maintains a clear sensorium, unlike the clouded consciousness seen in alcohol withdrawal delirium.

The symptoms must not be better explained by a psychotic disorder that is not substance-induced, such as schizophrenia or delusional disorder.

Additionally, the psychotic symptoms should not occur exclusively during episodes of delirium.

Clinicians must establish that the hallucinations began during or within one month of alcohol intoxication or withdrawal.

When to use F10.951 diagnosis code

F10.951 represents a specific subset of alcohol-related psychotic presentations where hallucinations are the predominant feature. Careful differential diagnosis helps ensure appropriate coding and treatment approaches.

F10.951 vs F10.950 (alcohol use, unspecified with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder with delusions)

F10.951 is used when hallucinations are the primary psychotic symptom, while F10.950 applies when delusions predominate without significant hallucinatory features.

Many clients may experience both symptoms simultaneously, requiring clinical judgment to determine the most prominent presentation.

Alcohol-related hallucinations typically involve auditory perceptions, such as hearing voices or sounds that others cannot hear.

These may include persecutory themes or commentary about the individual's behavior.

The hallucinations often continue during periods of withdrawal and can be mistaken for standard withdrawal symptoms.

F10.951 vs F10.95 (alcohol use, unspecified with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder)

F10.95 serves as the broader category for alcohol-induced psychotic disorders when specific features are not documented or when multiple psychotic symptoms are equally prominent. F10.951 provides more specificity by identifying hallucinations as the key feature.

This distinction matters for treatment planning, as hallucinatory presentations may respond differently to interventions compared to primarily delusional states. Clinicians should document the specific nature and content of psychotic symptoms to support accurate coding.

F10.951 vs substance-induced psychotic disorders from other substances

Cannabis-induced psychotic disorder (F12.951) and stimulant-induced psychotic disorder (F15.951) can present with similar hallucinations but result from different substances. The clinical history must clearly establish alcohol as the causative agent rather than other drugs.

Polysubstance use complicates this differential diagnosis, requiring careful assessment of timing, substance use patterns, and symptom onset. When multiple substances are involved, clinicians should identify the primary substance causing the psychotic symptoms.

Related ICD-10 codes

• F10.95 Alcohol use, unspecified with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder
• F10.950 Alcohol use, unspecified with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder with delusions
• F10.959 Alcohol use, unspecified with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder unspecified
• F10.151 Alcohol use disorder, mild, with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder with hallucinations
• F10.251 Alcohol use disorder, moderate or severe, with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder with hallucinations

Interventions and CPT codes for alcohol-induced psychotic disorder

Evidence-based treatments for F10.951 address both the alcohol use component and the psychotic symptoms through integrated approaches.

Pharmacological interventions

Antipsychotic medications provide the primary treatment for distressing hallucinations until long-term abstinence is achieved and symptoms resolve.

Common regimens include haloperidol 2.5 to 10 mg oral or intramuscular as needed, olanzapine 5 to 10 mg oral doses up to 30 mg daily, or risperidone 1 to 5 mg twice daily as required.

Antipsychotic treatment should always be combined with adequate benzodiazepine therapy rather than used in isolation, as monotherapy may lower seizure threshold and fail to prevent withdrawal complications.

The prognosis is generally favorable with sustained abstinence, though some individuals may develop chronic schizophrenia-like symptoms.

Relevant CPT codes:

• 90791 Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation for initial assessment
• 90832/90834/90837 Individual psychotherapy sessions (30/45/60 minutes)
• 90853 Group psychotherapy for substance use treatment

Psychosocial treatments

Motivational interviewing helps clients explore ambivalence about alcohol use and develop intrinsic motivation for change.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy addresses both substance use patterns and psychotic symptom management strategies.

Integrated treatment approaches that simultaneously address alcohol use and mental health symptoms demonstrate better outcomes than treating conditions separately. Relapse prevention strategies must consider triggers for both alcohol use and psychotic symptom recurrence.

Relevant CPT codes:

• 99408/99409 Alcohol screening and brief intervention (15-30 minutes/>30 minutes)
• G0396/G0397 Medicare structured assessment and brief intervention
• H0049/H0050 Medicaid alcohol screening and brief intervention codes

Crisis intervention and safety planning

Clients experiencing alcohol-related hallucinations may be at increased risk for suicide, particularly when auditory hallucinations involve command voices or persecutory themes. Thorough risk assessment and safety planning are essential components of treatment.

Hospitalization may be necessary when hallucinations are severe, distressing, or pose safety risks to the client or others. Inpatient treatment allows for medication stabilization and comprehensive assessment of both alcohol use and psychotic symptoms.

Relevant CPT codes:

• 90834 Crisis psychotherapy for acute situations
• 90839/90840 Psychotherapy for crisis with extended time

How Upheal improves F10.951 ICD-10 documentation

Upheal's clinical documentation platform helps therapists accurately capture the complex relationship between alcohol use and psychotic symptoms while maintaining comprehensive treatment records.

Suggesting appropriate ICD-10 codes based on session content

The platform analyzes session notes to identify key diagnostic indicators, including descriptions of hallucinations, alcohol use patterns, and temporal relationships between substance use and symptom onset.

This analysis helps ensure proper coding distinctions between F10.951 and related diagnoses.

Upheal recognizes when clients describe perceptual disturbances and prompts clinicians to document crucial details like hallucination content, frequency, and relationship to alcohol consumption.

This thoroughness supports accurate differential diagnosis and appropriate code selection.

Maintaining HIPAA-compliant records with proper diagnostic coding

The documentation platform ensures all psychotic symptom descriptions and alcohol use assessments meet clinical standards while protecting client confidentiality.

Automated templates guide clinicians through essential assessment areas for substance-induced psychotic disorders.

Upheal's system tracks diagnostic criteria fulfillment over time, helping clinicians monitor symptom changes and code accuracy as treatment progresses.

This longitudinal view supports evidence-based treatment planning and proper documentation of clinical decision-making.

Reducing administrative burden so you can focus on client care

By streamlining note-taking and code selection processes, Upheal allows clinicians to spend more time conducting thorough risk assessments and safety planning with clients experiencing alcohol-related hallucinations.

The platform handles documentation requirements while preserving clinical focus.

The system's intelligent suggestions help prevent coding errors that could lead to treatment authorization delays or compliance issues.

This reliability is particularly important when documenting complex presentations involving both substance use and psychotic symptoms.

Supporting clients with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder

Treating clients with F10.951 requires balancing immediate safety concerns with long-term recovery goals. The presence of hallucinations adds complexity to standard addiction treatment approaches, demanding integrated care that addresses both conditions simultaneously.

Effective treatment begins with comprehensive assessment of symptom severity, suicide risk, and functional impairment.

Clients may feel frightened or confused by their perceptual experiences, requiring empathetic support alongside clinical intervention.

Building therapeutic rapport becomes crucial for treatment engagement and safety monitoring.

Family education and support can play vital roles in recovery, as loved ones may struggle to understand the client's experiences or may inadvertently reinforce problematic drinking patterns.

Psychoeducation about the relationship between alcohol use and psychotic symptoms helps families provide appropriate support while maintaining healthy boundaries.

Long-term recovery focuses on sustained abstinence to prevent symptom recurrence while developing coping strategies for managing any persistent symptoms. With proper treatment and abstinence maintenance, most clients experience significant improvement in both alcohol use patterns and psychotic symptoms.

Upheal's comprehensive documentation platform supports clinicians throughout this treatment journey by maintaining detailed records that track progress and inform ongoing clinical decisions.

Try Upheal today to improve your alcohol-related disorder documentation and treatment planning.