D20 - How Nicotine Use Disrupts Recovery and What Behavioral Health Providers Can Do About It

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MDT

Location: Bluebird 2A

People with behavioral health conditions are disproportionately impacted by nicotine use and its health consequences, including an estimated 15-year reduction in life expectancy compared to the general population. This presentation will highlight why addressing nicotine use is an essential component of person-centered, recovery-oriented care. We will offer concrete strategies for integrating brief, feasible nicotine use interventions into busy behavioral health settings so that providers can realistically make nicotine recovery part of routine care.

Learning Objectives:

Detail why nicotine treatment is a key to recovery-driven care.
Reviw current trends in nicotine use across the lifespan, including the rapid rise of emerging products such as nicotine pouches.
Describe practical, evidence-based and emerging interventions for nicotine treatment.

Disclosure(s):

Chad Morris, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose

James L. Pavlik, MA, NCNTT, Jr.: No financial relationships to disclose

Eleni Romano, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose

Breakout Presenter(s)

Chad Morris, PhD

Director, Behavioral Health & Wellness Program
University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides
James L. Pavlik, Jr., MA, NCNTT

Senior Program and Policy Analyst
Behavioral Health and Wellness Program
Aurora, Colorado

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Eleni Romano, PhD

Assistant Professor
University of Colorado Anschutz
Aurora, Colorado

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose