F18.120
BillableInhalant abuse with intoxication, uncomplicated
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 137 — Drug Use Disorder/Substance Use Disorder, Moderate/Severe
0.358V24HCC 55 — Drug/Alcohol Dependence
0.334ESRDHCC 55 — Drug/Alcohol Dependence
0.000What This Code Means
A person is abusing inhalants and is currently intoxicated from the substance without additional complications.
Coding Tips
- •This code requires documentation of both abuse and current intoxication without delirium or other complications
- •Distinguish from F18.121 which includes delirium as a complication of intoxication
Clinical Significance
Inhalant abuse with uncomplicated intoxication captures a patient who is actively intoxicated from inhalant use. Inhalant intoxication can be life-threatening — volatile substances cause rapid CNS depression, cardiac sensitization to catecholamines, and risk of asphyxiation. This code justifies emergency-level evaluation.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of inhalant abuse pattern
- ✓Clinical signs of current intoxication (euphoria, dizziness, slurred speech, ataxia, nystagmus)
- ✓Absence of delirium or other severe complications
- ✓Vital signs including cardiac monitoring (risk of arrhythmia)
- ✓Type of inhalant when identifiable
- ✓Assessment for aspiration risk and respiratory depression
Commonly Confused Codes
F18.121 — Inhalant abuse with intoxication delirium; use when delirium is presentF18.129 — Inhalant abuse with intoxication, unspecified; use only when delirium status unknownF18.220 — Inhalant dependence with intoxication; use when dependence rather than abuseF18.10 — Inhalant abuse, uncomplicated; use when NOT currently intoxicated
Code Hierarchy
└F18Inhalant related disorders└F18.1Inhalant abuse└F18.12Inhalant abuse with intoxication└F18.120Inhalant abuse with intoxication, uncomplicated
└F18.120Inhalant abuse with intoxication, uncomplicated