Medicare Risk Adjustment Tip: Toxic Effects of Alcohol Ethanol
Diagnoses related to the current use of alcohol are coded according to how certain DSM-5 criteria are met. Ethanol causes CNS depression, leading to sedation, slurred speech, impaired judgment, uncoordinated behavior, euphoria, and impaired sensory and motor skills. Sustained increases in ethanol concentration and CNS depression lead to confusion, stupor, coma, and eventually death. The CNS-depressant effects of ethanol are potentiated by other CNS depressants such as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, and opioids. Other acute effects include depression in myocardial contractility and inhibition of an antidiuretic hormone leading to increased urine output, dehydration, and irritation of the gastric mucosa.