Relinquishment and Addiction: What Trauma Has to Do With It

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. The authors, David B. Bohl, MA and Jamie Marich, PhD, therefore provide an overview of the complex issues involved in relinquishment and adoption, and in particular, as they relate to susceptibility of addiction. Topics include discussions of Developmental Trauma, Understanding (or Misunderstanding) Relinquishment, Adoption and Addiction, Addiction in Relinquishees, and other resources.