Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vaping in Addiction Treatment: Clinical Tools and Practice Strategies

Session Description: This workshop provides clinicians with practical, evidence-based tools to assess and treat tobacco use disorder, nicotine dependence, and vaping among patients in substance use disorder treatment and recovery. Participants will learn how to integrate tobacco screening and diagnosis into routine clinical workflows, apply harm-reduction and cessation strategies, and address nicotine use without undermining recovery from other substances.

Using real-world case examples, findings from recovery community focus groups, and clinician interviews, the session will demonstrate effective clinical interventions, including stepped-care approaches, motivational strategies, and risk-reduction options for patients not ready for abstinence. The workshop also introduces the Smoking and Recovery Toolkit, a free, web-based clinical resource offering screening tools, treatment planning supports, patient education materials, and implementation guidance.

Clinicians will leave with actionable strategies to improve patient engagement, meet regulatory requirements, and reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality among people in treatment and long-term recovery.