- F16
- Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Hallucinogens (F16)
DSM-5-TR: Hallucinogen-Related Disorders
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
- ICD-10 RangeF10-F19
- Subcodes3 subcodes
- Australian PrevalenceApproximately 1.6% of Australians report past-year hallucinogen use (AIHW 2022-23). Clinical presentations are relatively uncommon compared to other substance disorders.
- Global PrevalenceApproximately 30 million people use hallucinogens worldwide. Use has increased with growing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy research.
- Duration RequirementHarmful use (F16.1): evidence of damage to health; psychotic disorder (F16.5): occurring during or immediately after hallucinogen use
Overview
Covers disorders arising from the use of hallucinogens including LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and related substances. Unlike most other psychoactive substances, hallucinogens rarely cause physical dependence or a withdrawal syndrome.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Use of hallucinogens resulting in perceptual disturbances, altered consciousness, or affective changes
- Harmful pattern of use causing psychological or physical harm
- Persistent perceptual symptoms (HPPD) occurring after cessation in some cases
Duration Harmful use (F16.1): evidence of damage to health; psychotic disorder (F16.5): occurring during or immediately after hallucinogen use
Exclusion Criteria
- Hallucinogen use under controlled clinical research conditions
- Primary psychotic disorder unrelated to substance use
ICD-10-AM Subcodes
| Code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F16.0 | Acute intoxication | Transient condition following hallucinogen use, characterised by perceptual disturbances, synesthesia, altered sense of time, emotional lability, and depersonalisation. |
| F16.1 | Harmful use | Pattern of hallucinogen use causing damage to mental health, including triggering or exacerbating psychotic disorders. |
| F16.5 | Psychotic disorder | Psychotic phenomena occurring during or immediately after hallucinogen use. Note: physical dependence and a withdrawal syndrome are not recognised for classical hallucinogens. |
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- LSD harmful use
- Psilocybin harmful use
- Mescaline intoxication
- Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)
Australian Clinical Context
Australia has an emerging clinical context with psilocybin rescheduled to Schedule 8 by the TGA from July 2023, permitting authorised psychiatrists to prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression under strict conditions. Recreational use remains prohibited.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Better Access to Mental Health Care
The primary Medicare pathway for mental health treatment in Australia. Requires a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Available for any clinically diagnosed mental disorder.
10 individual + 10 group sessions per calendar year
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 80000–80025 | Psychological therapy (higher rebate) |
| Registered Psychologist | 80100–80123 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Occupational Therapist | 80125–80145 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Social Worker | 80150–80175 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Psychiatrist | 291, 296–299, 300–308 | Psychiatric consultation |
GP referral items: 2700, 2701, 2715, 2717
Eligibility: Any clinically diagnosed mental disorder as defined by WHO ICD-10 Chapter V. Requires a GP or psychiatrist referral.
Exclusions:
- Intellectual disability (use Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder pathway or specialist referral)
- Dementia and organic mental disorders (use specialist referral pathway)
- Tobacco use disorder
State and territory drug and alcohol services may also apply alongside MBS.
Grounded Scribe suggests the right MBS item codes from your recording so you can claim accurately without re-keying.
Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
Classical hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin) do not cause physical dependence or a recognised withdrawal syndrome — F16.2 (dependence) and F16.3 (withdrawal) are not applicable. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) — persistent visual disturbances after use — should be coded F16.7. "Bad trips" (anxiety, panic) are the most common acute presentation.
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Mental and Behavioural Disorders Due to Hallucinogens (F16).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no dependence or withdrawal code for hallucinogens?
Classical hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline) act on serotonin receptors and do not produce the same neuroadaptation as drugs acting on dopamine or GABA systems. Rapid tolerance develops but reverses quickly. Physical dependence and a withdrawal syndrome are not clinically recognised for these substances.
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
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