SUMMARY
Nick L. Bormann, M.D., studies substance use disorders, with a focus on how social and structural factors shape recovery trajectories. Dr. Bormann's work centers on recovery capital, which is the internal and external resources that support individuals seeking to reduce their substance use and enter periods of recovery. He investigates how employment, policy environments and demographic factors influence treatment engagement, substance use patterns and long-term outcomes across a variety of patient populations. These populations include individuals within the criminal justice system.
Dr. Bormann integrates large-scale national datasets, longitudinal cohort analyses and health services methodologies to identify modifiable drivers of recovery. He explores:
- How employment transitions correlate with reduced alcohol and stimulant use.
- How differences emerge across demographic groups.
- How treatment systems can better support retention and recovery.
Dr. Bormann's other areas of interest include digital therapeutics, particularly the development and implementation of smartphone-based interventions and artificial intelligence-supported care models that extend treatment beyond traditional clinical settings.
Focus areas
- Employment and recovery dynamics. Dr. Bormann examines how changes in employment status influence substance use during and after treatment. He uses national datasets to identify causal patterns and policy-relevant mechanisms. Dr. Bormann's research addresses how economic stability functions as a modifiable component of recovery capital and informs interventions that integrate vocational support into addiction care.
- Recovery capital measurement and impact. Dr. Bormann investigates how changes in personal and social resources affect substance use, cravings and criminal behavior. He uses longitudinal cohort data to define recovery trajectories and clarify how strengthening recovery capital can improve treatment outcomes and reduce relapse risk.
- Variations in treatment outcomes. Dr. Bormann studies how various demographics shape treatment initiation, attrition and mortality. He applies intersectional analyses to large population datasets to identify access and inform optimal treatment strategies for underserved and high-risk populations.
- Digital and hybrid treatment models. Dr. Bormann evaluates virtual, in-person and hybrid care delivery for substance use disorders. He assesses how treatment format influences engagement, therapeutic alliance and outcomes. He also addresses gaps in access to care that widened during the COVID-19 era.
Significance to patient care
Substance use disorders are influenced by factors such as not working, reduced social support and limited access to care. Dr. Bormann's research shows that improving real-life situations, especially helping people get and keep jobs, is linked to lower substance use and can support recovery. His research also helps medical teams create better care approaches for everyone. By improving treatments — including virtual care and finding early signs of poor outcomes — Dr. Bormann's work helps patients stay in treatment longer and have better long-term recovery.
Professional highlights
- Member, Editorial board, Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, 2025-present.
- Member, Editorial board, Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 2025-present.
- Member, Editorial board, Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice, 2025-present.
- Member, Editorial review board, Digital Health, 2025-present.
- Top 10 most cited article, American Journal on Addictions, 2025.
- Sapere Aude Scholar, Mayo Clinic, 2024.
- John Renner Travel Award, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, 2022.
- Top submission for resident or medical student poster, American Psychiatric Association, 2018.
- Dr. Frederic G. Loomis Memorial Scholar, University of Iowa, 2014-2018.