Who Is David B. Bohl?
First and foremost, David B. Bohl is a relinquishee and an adoptee. Professionally, he is an independent Addiction and Recovery Consultant at Beacon Confidential LLC, and he knows his business through and through having once been a consumer of mental health services. David has also recovered from Substance Use Disorder (he’s been in remission from alcohol and tobacco use disorder for many years). He is Masters Degreed, holds a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) credential, and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) license.
An author, an accomplished public speaker, and an adoption consultant, David’s biggest strength lies in having lived through the relinquishment and adoption experience. His knowledgeable approach is that of compassion and open-mindedness, and he combines his formal education with his own, natural compulsion to help others. If you were to ask David what his favorite work aspect is he’d tell you that it’s the ability to do something deeply meaningful and personal day-in and day-out. Whether this is through his work with individuals, families, and/or organizations experiencing addiction or by working with those who have gone through relinquishment trauma, or the combination of both, David offers a unique perspective that considers adoption (and/ or addiction) as a developmental and/ or chronic trauma or stress that affects everyone: the individual client, and their family—adopted and genetic.
David understands that although person in the recovery and relinquishment communities often lead similar lives to others, their experiences are specific to their background and individual stories. Those stories involve having to experience and overcome such hurdles as stigma, insufficient social supports, and home/work environments, loss, grief, identity development, self-esteem, lack of information about medical background (including mental health and addiction predispositions). Those stories are David’s story as well.
David lives in the Midwestern U.S. and shares his services in the U.S. and abroad. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 38 years and adult children, and is fond of a meditative technique called Blue Mind (a calm mind state that’s found by being in and/or around the water). His pursuit of knowledge and understanding of personal growth and recovery is at the root of his personal and professional experiences.
In his volunteer work, David is also Mental Health Subcommittee Co-Chair to the National Association of Adoptees and Parents (NAAP), and an Advisory Board Member of Wisconsin Adoption and Permanency Support (WIAPS). He facilitates an Addiction and Adoption Constellation virtual support group for all individuals in the adoption constellation desirous of initiating, practicing, or supporting recovery.
Books by David B Bohl

Relinquishment and Addiction:
What Trauma Has to Do With It
David B. Bohl, MA / Jamie Marich, PhD
Despite knowing the risk for relinquished persons, there remains a chasm in awareness, both within and outside the adoption community about the special, unspoken, and unmet needs of relinquished persons and their families.
Authors David B. Bohl, MA, and Jamie Marich, PhD, provide an overview of the complex issues involved in relinquishment and adoption, and in particular, as they relate to susceptibility of addiction.

Parallel Universes
The Story of Rebirth
David B. Bohl, MA
In this poignant and powerful memoir, David B. Bohl reveals the inner turmoil and broad spectrum of warring emotions—shame, anger, triumph, shyness, pride—he experienced growing up as a “relinquished” boy. Adopted at birth by a prosperous family, Bohl battled throughout his earlier years to keep up a good front and surpass expectations as he tried desperately to fit in. An overachiever at everything he undertook, whether in sailing, academics, or life as a trader on the Chicago Exchange floor, he continued his search for happiness, often finding it in a bottle or pill, and ultimately becoming a raging and wealthy alcoholic.
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Social Unity can be defined as “the degree to which people identify with one another—that is, the degree to which they feel a sameness as, a connectedness to, and a commonality with one another.”

Recent Blog Posts

Haymarket Center Spring Workshop: Family of Origin Separation Trauma and Addiction – Care Planning and Recovery Management Implications
I was honored to have kicked off the 2023 Haymarket Center Spring Workshops with the presentation: Family of Origin Separation Trauma and Addiction – Care

Confirmation Bias and What Trust Has to do With It
One of the most challenging aspects of growing up with developmental trauma is having to unlearn certain beliefs—beliefs that might’ve served us at one point,

Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Hospital Seminar –
Adoption and Foster Care: Considerations for Medical Practice
I once again had the opportunity to present to Dr. Samantha Wilson‘s class at the Medical College of Wisconsin titled Adoption and Foster Care: Considerations

On Grieving Many Times, and Many Times Over
My beautiful, sweet mother died last week at the age of 90 years old. She passed while I was on a plane on my way