This article reflects general perspectives on recovery and wellbeing, including how non-abstinent recovery can fit into personal healing. It is not medical advice. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, please consult a qualified healthcare professional or addiction specialist.
In Montreal, the holidays bring gatherings, traditions, and warmth, which can feel meaningful but also emotional for people practicing non-abstinent recovery. It’s a period when families reconnect, people celebrate together, and many reflect on the year behind them. Yet for many who live in recovery: whether from alcohol, drugs or other substances: the holidays also may bring a measure of emotional complexity. Traditionally, “successful recovery” meant strict abstinence, and any different approach, including non-abstinent recovery, was often viewed as a risk.
Today, research and lived experiences show a more nuanced story. Many people are building stable and healthy lives through non-abstinent recovery, where joy, purpose, and connection guide the healing process. For many in Montreal, non-abstinent recovery fits naturally with the values of balance, community, warmth, and quality of life.
At SoberRecovery.ca, we believe in approaches that are both evidence-based and compassionate. As the holidays approach, this article examines ways that positivity, behaviors and cultural grounding, and customized recovery plans help individuals find sustainable well-being, even if their recovery does not happen within traditional abstinence-only behavioral expectations.
A Montreal Perspective: Recovery Rooted in Joy, Not Restriction
The key question is shifting from “Are you abstaining perfectly?” to “Is your substance use affecting your ability to live a safe and meaningful life?”
For many who have moved past the hardest stages of addiction, healing—especially in non-abstinent recovery—focuses on building a life they no longer want to escape.
The Role of Positivity During the Holidays
Positive psychology shows that joy, purpose, and connection have a strong stabilizing effect on people in recovery. The holiday season in the Montreal community – which is associated with a festive spirit, traditions, and warmth – can be a valuable anchor.
Moments such as:
• Sharing meals with family
• Participating in community traditions like réveillon
• Enjoying winter festivities in Montreal
• Spending quiet evenings in reflection and gratitude
Learning From Modern Recovery Models
The experience of people like Maia Szalavitz shows that non-abstinent recovery can still lead to a balanced, productive life for some individuals. Many eventually develop the ability to safely moderate substances they did not previously misuse, such as occasional wine or cannabis.
Rather, it calls for the need for personalized recovery approaches (we need not one-size-fits-all mandates).
Understanding Non-Abstinent Recovery in Montreal
Non-Abstinent Recovery means measuring healing through daily improvement rather than strict avoidance of all substances.
For individuals in Montreal, this may include:
1. Reconnecting With Purpose
Healthy recovery starts with an understanding of the reason for their substance use in the first place.
Was it as a way to deal with social anxiety? Emotional pain? Isolation? Trauma?
Acknowledging the roots of things helps people to substitute unhealthy coping methods with healthier outlets such as therapy, exercise, spiritual activities, cultural activities, or healthy relationships.
2. Practicing Harm Reduction
Montreal’s public health philosophy emphasizes harm reduction. It aims to help people stay safer today, rather than requiring abstinence first.
The harm reduction practices may include:
- Setting/Enforcing boundaries around consumption
- Using medications that reduce cravings
- Alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Attending therapy or support groups/
- Tracking mood and triggers
- Creating safety plans for holiday gatherings
These strategies are empowering to the individual, not isolating.
3. Respecting Cultural Identity and Personal Autonomy
Montreal culture attaches great importance to autonomy, identity, and balance.
A customized recovery plan respects these values because it acknowledges that:
- People heal at their own pace.
- Balance – not extremism – is often the most sustainable way of going about things.
For many Montreal-ers, their holidays are a period of time to rekindle their connection with cultural traditions that ensure stability, belonging, and hope.
Building a Support Network in Montreal and Beyond
Support systems matter, especially during the emotional holiday season.
Where Support Can Come From:
Family and friends: Montreal families are often closely intergenerational, and this can provide a sense of emotional grounding.
Therapists and counselors: Culturally aware mental health professionals can help individuals deal with both the process of recovery and the pressures of the holidays.
Support groups: Both the abstinence-based and the harm reduction communities can provide accountability and connectivity.
Community programs: Montreal’s community centers, wellness organizations, and cultural groups provide some safe ways to remain engaged and active.
At SoberRecovery.ca, we encourage individuals to find proper support to live their lives by way of available compassionate treatment options for a better fit.
Releasing the Weight of Stigma
For many, the most difficult part of non-abstinent recovery isn’t recovery – it’s being judged.
Recovery does not need to be defined by outside opinions, especially for people building progress through non-abstinent recovery.
Instead, people can pay attention to their internal measures of success:
Is there an improvement in the relationships?
Is physical and mental health stabilizing?
Are work and community engagements more satisfying?
Are you more hopeful and feel that you have greater control of your life?
If the answer to these questions is yes, of course, meaningful progress is going on – whether total abstinence is a part of that journey or not.
Holiday Reflection: Choosing the Path That Serves You
As the holidays approach, drug and alcohol rehab recovering individuals may encounter some joy mixed with vulnerability.
This is why grounding yourself in culture, purpose, and connection strengthens non-abstinent recovery during the holidays.
Montreal’s holiday traditions – comfort food, music, spiritedness, generosity, community occasions – are in themselves potentially healing. When combined with evidence-based recovery strategies, they support people in creating a life filled with meaning, rather than fear.
Your Recovery, Your Direction
Recovery is not a single path. It is a very personal journey that is determined by your history, values, and goals. Whether abstinence or controlled moderation is part of your long-term agenda, the focus should always be on your well-being.
If you happen to be in Montreal and need another reason to be here, SoberRecovery.ca is here for you, and we are here because we respect your autonomy, culture, and lived experience.
Together, we can build a recovery plan rooted in positivity, balance, and the warmth of the Montreal holiday season.