Recovery on Demand

12/09/2025

It feels like a good time to reintroduce ourselves at north of 700 followers, and share why this page exists.

I’m David, and if you’ve spent time in the housing or recovery world, you may know this isn’t my primary work. Recovery on Demand (originally my business, Envision Freedom Recovery) continues to exist as a response to the many referrals and requests for support I receive each year from individuals and organizations.

I lead a small team, alongside a partnering counselling centre, to support the recovery needs of individuals, families, and organizations in NB.

1. We function as a “front door” for those navigating the huge pipeline of support systems, who are wondering where to start.

2. We offer ground-level, in-person or home based recovery options for individuals and families needing intervention.

3. With the counselling centre, we offer a 10 week outpatient recovery counselling program that can fit into your full life or be offered to rehab facilities virtually for their residents.

4. At the organizational level, we love working with substance-use facilities by developing programs with best practices, and offering consultation & professional learning to teams.

Most services are covered by blue cross. The rest cash. However, all services within these two teams have a recovery sliding scale price or non profit discount compared to usual fees.

My heart is simple: I want recovery to be accessible. My small team, our partnering counselling centre, and the professionals I refer to all invest in ongoing specialized training and share a genuine love for people pursuing recovery.

Just wanted to introduce ourselves again.

Btw, everyone else does most of the work 🙂

12/06/2025

I had a great visit today with Holly, Horizon’s Director of Addiction and Mental Health. We caught up on partnership updates, and she toured me through the Ridgewood Recovery care centres. The highlight for me was meeting some of the wonderful staff, and seeing Holly’s genuine heart for community development.

The thought we ended with was the hope of seeing our community become more recovery-inclusive and move beyond working in silos.

Teamwork gets things done.

12/01/2025

A step in the right direction. EHN is known for its quality care and utilization of best practices.

A new 50-bed treatment facility is moving ahead on the Kingston Peninsula, doubling our live-in treatment capacity and giving more people a safe, compassionate place to heal and recover. Every person deserves dignity and access to help when they need it, and this is an important step in supporting New Brunswickers living with addiction.

https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2025.12.0544.html

11/24/2025

I’m pleased to share that Luke is joining the Envision Freedom Recovery (Recovery on Demand) team part-time as our Project & Client Services Coordinator.

Luke is well-known in our community for his genuine care for people in recovery. Alongside of being involved in recovery circles, he also holds an undergraduate degree focused on counselling and psychology.

In this role, he will support our team in our work with organizational partners and family clients. This includes project planning, implementation, and administrative support as demand continues to grow.

This past year has been a blessing, as Envision Freedom Recovery has had the opportunity to support multiple organizations in consulting and program development. We remain committed to addressing substance use concerns in different levels while staying grounded in trauma-informed and evidence-based practice.

Evidence, evidence, evidence.

Welcome to the team, Luke!

11/23/2025

I joined a friend today to support the FHS 5km. It was meaningful to contribute to a good cause and to be part of the Fredericton community. Interestingly, the moment that stayed with me most came while running, thinking about the people the shelters serve and, at times, about my own experiences supporting individuals. As the runner’s high faded, I became more aware of the cold, the wind, and simply what it felt like to be outside. Even that brief discomfort offered a small glimpse into the challenges many Canadians face daily.

I tend to view support through a developmental lens—focusing on addressing challenges and helping people move forward, rather than simply managing or maintaining the problems they’re facing.

I’m continually reminded of how capable people are of moving forward when they have the right supports in place (housing, community, treatment, etc).

My donation on its own is small, but conversations with other runners afterward showed that many of us were reflecting in similar ways. Together, those reflections added a bit more understanding to an issue that so many organizations, communities, and professionals work tirelessly to address.

Being unhoused is not an identity, and everyone deserves a home. When a community gets involved the problem of homelessness can be addressed.

Thanks for listening.

11/09/2025

Popped into the grand opening of a non-profit dedicated to recovery aftercare, and bumped into familar faces advancing recovery efforts in our province.

Alot of laughing, encouraging, and discussion around the need for evidence based approaches.

Adam Beman, Executive Director of Hidden Secret,
Jeremy Robinson, Executive Director of Threshold,
Holly Richard, Horizon's New Brunswick Director of Addiction and Mental Health.

11/08/2025

A picture. My photographer. A tribute to a friend.

This photo isn’t just a snapshot of a moment — it’s a reminder of how deeply important and challenging the work is in addiction treatment.

I still remember the call that started my supervision placement — someone needed help, and no one else had experience or training in supporting SUD’s. Something about that moment pushed me to not only show up, but to make support more accessible and affordable.

My friend (Brody), the photographer behind this picture, jumped in right away to help me get the word out. Some quick, “shotgun” marketing, he called it. He just wanted people to know help was available.

He passed last year from substance-related causes and other difficult circumstances. Recovery was part of his story too. He was kind, joyful, and always eager to do something good — like this.

This coming March marks five years since I began my private practice work as an addictions counsellor, after already spending three years in the field in different roles.

Since that day, I’ve had the privilege to sit with so many incredible people, work with great teams, and this past year, co-found Fredericton’s newest outpatient program: Rise Recovery.

People have joined, organizations have even sponsored some individual’s programs, and in 2026, it will be offered to rehabilitation centres that do not have addiction counsellors on staff.

It is specialized, evidence-based, professionally lead, and about one-fourth the average cost. Most importantly, it was designed with people who hold lived experience. It is uniquely designed as a structured program that is also tailored to each person’s story and needs.

This isn’t meant as self-promotion. It’s just a reminder that what began years ago with a friend’s support has kept moving forward — each step still focused on the same mission: helping one more person recover and removing the barriers in their way.

*My friend’s father Rick LeBlanc was comfortable with the post, and wanted Brody’s name share

11/01/2025

I believe that recovery is possible.

Even amidst the addiction statistics around Canada, I have hope because I get to witness the stories that don’t necessarily make the headlines as often as they should. Like individuals achieving sobriety, finding hope in recovery, or families being restored after years of distance. It happens so much more than people think.

A special shout-out to the incredible colleagues and organizations I’m so fortunate to be part of, who are making a massive impact in the recovery field and give themselves selflessly every day.

10/26/2025

No matter how busy my week gets, I always find myself drawn to nature. Self care in nature always hits well.

10/17/2025

Love my space, and hope you love it too.

08/29/2025

My Why - National Overdose Awareness Day

Over eight years ago, John (left) entered my life as a friend. A friendship I value and cherish. He was walking through one of the hardest valleys imaginable—grieving the loss of his wife, who died from an overdose. Through that pain, John showed remarkable strength. He grieved honestly, stayed open, and remained real with those around him. I witnessed firsthand the power of community when it comes around someone in deep pain—and for John, that made all the difference in his recovery and healing from this tragedy.

Those weeks and months left an imprint on me. They are what led me into the field of addictions work. Since then, I’ve studied, trained, and have heard more stories than I can count. The further I go, the more I realize how much there still is to learn and there are many things I can forget. But one thing never changes—I will not forget my “why.” People in pain deserve a safe place, someone to listen, and a voice cheering them on.

On National Overdose Day August 31, I’m grateful for every professional who shows up faithfully, even on the most unthankful of days. Along with the people who refuse to give up on those in recovery. John is one of those change agents.

Know this: I am cheering you on- whoever you are. Not just on August 31, but every day to come.

08/21/2025

On October 1st, Fredericton will see the launch of its newest Recovery Outpatient Program. Extended Outpatient Care allows individuals to continue managing their daily responsibilities while creating space for the deeper work that recovery often requires—work that a single session or attending a group may not be able to provide. The program will include but is not limited to: a comprehensive assessment by an addiction specialist, individualized counselling (elements & resources of cbt, dbt, ifs), relapse prevention & a psycho educational track, future proof succession planning, and coordinated referrals to address additional treatment needs.

I’m especially looking forward to co-supervising the new counsellors alongside Gabrielle as we bring this affordable, structured, evidence-based program to the people of Fredericton.