RRP Episode 31: Dr. David Bohrer’s Journey from Addiction to Recovery—How Sobriety Saved His Life and Career

From professional success to addiction struggles, Dr. David Bohrer’s inspiring story of recovery shows the resilience of the human spirit.

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In this episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, we’re honored to welcome Dr. David Bohrer, a chiropractor who once enjoyed tremendous professional success but faced the devastating impact of addiction. David candidly shares his journey from being on top of the world to nearly losing everything, and how the power of sobriety helped him reclaim his life and career. His story is filled with wisdom, lessons learned, and hope for anyone walking the difficult path of recovery.

Dr. David Bohrer’s Background:
Dr. Bohrer’s career as a chiropractor was thriving. He was the youngest in his graduating class, owned a successful chiropractic practice, and even partnered in a Gold’s Gym. From the outside, he had it all—financial success, a beautiful home, and the career he’d worked so hard to build. However, his personal life began to unravel when he fell into a cycle of addiction.
As Dr. Bohrer explains, his addiction started out small but quickly escalated:
"Pretty soon, this professional life and party life blurred together. Before I knew it, they had overlapped completely." —Dr. David Bohrer
His story reflects the common battle that so many in the recovery community face—struggling to maintain a double life while addiction takes a greater hold.

"Pretty soon, this professional life and party life blurred together. Before I knew it, they had overlapped completely." —Dr. David Bohrer

Links to Websites Discussed:

• East County Alano Club (ECAC)
• Gresham AA Lunch Bunch
  
• Real Recovery Podcast

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Turning Point and Struggles:
David’s wake-up call came when his health deteriorated significantly. He found himself in the ICU with heart failure, realizing his life was at serious risk. This terrifying experience pushed him toward the decision to seek recovery. Dr. Bohrer candidly shares how hard it was to come to terms with the idea that he needed help. Despite these struggles, his perseverance led him to treatment at Hazelden, a program that gave him the tools to begin his recovery journey.
"The biggest thing I had to admit was that I was powerless, and that knowing where I'm powerless is actually my strength." —Dr. David Bohrer

​The Role of Recovery Communities:
David also touches on the importance of the recovery communities that supported him throughout his journey. He speaks highly of the East County Alano Club (ECAC), which played a pivotal role in his sobriety. This was also where he connected with his sponsor, Don, who became a source of strength and guidance during the most challenging moments.
Additionally, he talks about how the Gresham AA Lunch Bunch became his safe haven, a place where he could connect with others in recovery and reinforce his commitment to sobriety.

Life in Recovery Today:
Since becoming sober, Dr. Bohrer’s life has taken a dramatic turn for the better. He emphasizes the importance of living with gratitude, maintaining relationships, and giving back through service. His message is clear: sobriety isn’t just about getting clean, it’s about rebuilding a meaningful life.

"I used to think I was bulletproof. But the truth is, sobriety gave me the strength to face my weaknesses—and that’s when my life truly started to change." 
—Dr. David Bohrer

Key Takeaways and Impact:
Dr. Bohrer’s story is one of resilience, humility, and the profound impact that recovery can have on someone’s life. His message to the Real Recovery community is that no matter how far down the road of addiction you may be, there is always hope for healing and transformation. He encourages listeners to reach out, find support, and commit to doing the work of recovery.

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​Tune in to this powerful episode of the Real Recovery Podcast and hear Dr. David Bohrer’s incredible journey firsthand. You won’t want to miss his inspiring story of redemption and the powerful lessons he shares. Listen now at Real Recovery Podcast.

#AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #RealRecoveryPodcast #OvercomingAddiction #Inspiration #Sobriety

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Coming up next...

​Our next episode of the Real Recovery Podcast features the powerful story of Melissa Hereford, a courageous woman who has overcome incredible challenges on her journey to recovery. In this heartfelt conversation, Melissa opens up about generational trauma, her identity as a two-spirited Native American, and her experiences overcoming addiction and abusive relationships. Her story serves as a reminder that transformation is always possible through healing and self-acceptance. Don't miss this inspiring episode!

Show Notes:

Title: RRP Episode 31: Dr. David Bohrer’s Inspiring Journey from Addiction to Sobriety
Presenters: Peter, Julie, David
Length: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Links to Websites:

• East County Alano Club (ECAC)
• Gresham AA Lunch Bunch
• Real Recovery Podcast

Key Points:

• [02:30] Introduction to David's background as a chiropractor
• [08:15] How addiction gradually took over his life
• [15:40] Turning point: Health scare and realization of the need for recovery
• [23:00] Hazelden treatment program and his struggle to accept being powerless
• [31:25] The importance of recovery communities: ECAC and Gresham AA Lunch Bunch
• [39:50] The role of his sponsor, Don, and lessons learned in recovery
• [47:30] Life after recovery: Rebuilding his life and career
• [55:10] Giving back through service and sponsoring others in the program
• [01:02:40] Conclusion and final thoughts from David

Summary:
In this episode, David, a successful chiropractor, shares his powerful story of addiction and recovery. He talks about how his professional and personal life crumbled due to addiction and the health scare that led him to seek help. David describes his journey through the Hazelden treatment program, his resistance to admitting powerlessness, and the transformative impact of recovery communities like East County Alano Club and Gresham AA Lunch Bunch. His story is one of resilience, humility, and the power of sobriety to rebuild a life. Now, David dedicates his time to giving back through service work and sponsorship.
Conclusion:
David’s journey reminds us that no matter how far addiction can take you, there is always hope for recovery and transformation. His story is a testament to the strength of recovery communities, the importance of service, and the ability to find a meaningful life beyond addiction.
Hashtags: #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #RealRecoveryPodcast #DrDavidBohrer #SobrietySuccess