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F55 ICD-10-CA code: Abuse of non-dependence-producing substances

F55 is the ICD-10-CA code for “Abuse of non-dependence-producing substances” in CIHI’s FY 2026–2027 release, in effect from Apr 1, 2026.

Official description

F55

Abuse of non-dependence-producing substances

Short description: Harmful use non dependence substances

ICD-10-CA · Canada

Index terms

Entries in CIHI’s alphabetical index that lead to F55. Searching the index by the condition the note names is how coders reach this code.

  • Laxative habit
  • Abuse, antacids
  • Abuse, hormones
  • Abuse, steroids
  • Abuse, vitamins
  • Abuse, laxatives
  • Salicylism, abuse
  • Habit, habituation, laxative
  • Abuse, herbal or folk remedies
  • Use (of), harmful, patent medicines
  • Abuse, drugs, non dependent (psychoactive), antacids
  • Abuse, drugs, non dependent (psychoactive), hormones
  • Abuse, drugs, non dependent (psychoactive), steroids
  • Abuse, drugs, non dependent (psychoactive), vitamins
  • Abuse, drugs, non dependent (psychoactive), laxatives
  • Abuse, drugs, non dependent (psychoactive), antidepressants
  • Use (of), harmful, non prescribed drugs, non dependence producing
  • Abuse, drugs, non dependent (psychoactive), herbal or folk remedies
  • Abuse, drugs, non dependent (psychoactive), analgesics (non prescribed)

Notes for F55

As CIHI prints them, with any note F55 takes from the headings above it.

Includes

  • Abuse of:• antacids• herbal or folk remedies• steroids or hormones• vitaminsLaxative habit
  • Disorders of psychological developmentFrom Chapter 5: Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99)

Excludes

Conditions classified elsewhere.

  • Abuse of psychoactive substances (F10-F19)
  • Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)From Chapter 5: Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99)

Note

  • A wide variety of medicaments and folk remedies may be involved, but the particularly important groups are: (a) psychotropic drugs that
  • do not produce dependence, such as antidepressants, (b) laxatives, and (c) analgesics that may be purchased without medical prescription, such as aspirin and paracetamol.Persistent use of these substances often involves unnecessary contacts with medical professionals or supporting staff, and is sometimes accompanied by harmful physical effects of the substances. Attempts to dissuade or forbid the use of the substance are often met with resistance; for laxatives and analgesis this may be in spite of warnings about (or even the development of) physical harm such as renal dysfunction or electrolyte disturbances. Although it is usually clear that the patient has a strong motivation to take the substance, dependence or withdrawal symptoms do no develop as in the case of the pyschoactive substances specified in F10-F19.

Where F55 sits

  1. 1ChapterChapter 5: Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99)
  2. 2Block F50-F59Behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors
  3. 3Valid code F55Abuse of non-dependence-producing substances

Source and release

Data release
ICD-10-CA · FY 2026–2027
Effective date
Apr 1, 2026
Publisher
CIHI

This page is built from the ICD-10-CA catalog that Vero Codes reads when it suggests codes: Canadian Institute for Health Information’s FY 2026–2027 release, imported from the publisher’s file and checked against it. The description, notes and structured data come from the same record.

See F55 in the CIHI source

Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CA code F55 mean?

F55 is the ICD-10-CA code for “Abuse of non-dependence-producing substances” in CIHI’s ICD-10-CA FY 2026–2027 release.

Where is F55 in ICD-10-CA?

F55 sits under F50-F59 Behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors, within Chapter 5: Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99).

What coding notes apply to F55?

ICD-10-CA lists Note, Includes, Excludes notes for F55, including those from the headings it sits under. They are listed on this page with where each one comes from.

Which ICD-10-CA release does this page use?

It uses CIHI’s FY 2026–2027 release, in effect from Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. It is a reference: confirm the code against the current list and the payer’s rules before you submit it.

Codes beside F55

F50Eating disordersF51Nonorganic sleep disordersF52Sexual dysfunction, not caused by organic disorder or diseaseF53Mental and behavioural disorders associated with the puerperium, not elsewhere classifiedF54Psychological and behavioural factors associated with disorders or diseases classified elsewhereF59Unspecified behavioural syndromes associated with physiological disturbances and physical factors