INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 11,547	$ 12,457
Realignment of segment goodwill		0
Additions	31	5
Impairment	(402)	(824)
Foreign exchange and other	11	(91)
Balance at the end of the period	11,187	11,547
Bausch + Lomb
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	5,246	5,318
Realignment of segment goodwill		0
Additions	31	5
Impairment	0	0
Foreign exchange and other	(15)	(77)
Balance at the end of the period	5,262	5,246
Salix
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,159	3,159
Realignment of segment goodwill		0
Additions	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Foreign exchange and other	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	3,159	3,159
International
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	789	825
Realignment of segment goodwill		0
Additions	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Foreign exchange and other	22	(36)
Balance at the end of the period	811	789
Dermatology
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	0	798
Realignment of segment goodwill		(798)
Additions	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Foreign exchange and other	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	0	0
Solta Medical
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	115	0
Realignment of segment goodwill		115
Additions	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Foreign exchange and other	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	115	115
Diversified
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,238	2,357
Realignment of segment goodwill		683
Additions	0	0
Impairment	(402)	(824)
Foreign exchange and other	4	22
Balance at the end of the period	$ 1,840	$ 2,238