What does this LOINC code represent?

This LOINC code identifies a lab observation, measurement, question, or clinical concept in a standardized format.

Is this enough to understand my test result?

No. The code identifies the test or observation, but the interpretation depends on the actual result, reference range, and clinical context.

LOINCActiveObservation

LOINC Code 96843-8: How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12 months

Name: LOINC Code 96843-8: How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12 months
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T09:00:27.592Z

96843-8 is a LOINC code used to identify How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12 months in laboratory and clinical observation data. You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges. LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12Mo. It is commonly used with the system or sample type ^Patient.

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12Mo. It is commonly used with the system or sample type ^Patient.

When is it used?

Used in lab systems, EHRs, and clinical data exchange.
May identify a test, observation, survey item, or clinical document request rather than a diagnosis.
Status: ACTIVE
Order vs observation: Observation

What it does not mean

The code identifies the observation or test, not the actual result.

Key facts

How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12 months
How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12Mo
1 year; 12Mos; Count/time; Drug; Drug use freq 12Mo; H+P; H+P.HX; Last; nRate; Number rate; Number Rate = Count/Time; Ordinal; P prime; QL; Qual; Qualitative; Screen

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges.

Common synonyms

How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12 monthsDrug use freq 12MoHow often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12MoH&P.HXNRat12Mo^Patient

Frequently asked questions

Code details

Code96843-8

SystemLOINC

Display nameHow often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12 months

DescriptionHow often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12Mo

Short nameDrug use freq 12Mo

ComponentHow often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12Mo

PropertyNRat

Timing12Mo

System (specimen)^Patient

ScaleOrd

ClassH&P.HX

StatusACTIVE

Order/ObservationObservation

Flags

BillableNo

Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceLOINC

Version2.82

Releasemain

First released2.70

Last changed2.70

Part names

How often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12MoNRat12Mo^PatientOrdHow often have you used illegal or recreational drugs in past 12 monthsNumber Rate12 months

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from LOINC. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.