Parallel Universes

<p><strong>2018 Book Excellence Award Winner in the Addiction/Recovery Category</strong></p><p>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 over-achiever 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.</p><p>Not until David marries and has children of his own does he feel compelled to search for his birth parents to discover if genetics played a role in the well-being of his offspring. “Baby Boy Bender” as he was labeled in the adoption papers had been born to a red-haired co-ed who struggled with alcoholism and an athlete who later died of a brain tumor.</p><p>After several severe seizures and frequent blackouts it was time to make a drastic change and admit his addiction. Raised with no religious teachings David struggled with traditional recovery fellowships and sought out secular supports where he finally fit in. This support allowed him to learn the stark facts about mental health and addiction as well as the monumental issues many “relinquishees” need to overcome to find peace and a quality of life they deserve.</p>