yes, no contact is not punishment
for me it was a way to stop listening to the manipulation
in my relationship with my ex I had a hard time listening because all of the good parts turned to bad with the addiction, I would get hooked in because I was addicted to him! we played off one another, and I wanted to believe his lies because I didn't want to lose the love I had found. we bounced blame and shame around. we tried like demons to manipulate each other (me trying to manipulate him into not using so that I wouldn't lose him)
the no contact is to stop the madness
if you are not caught in the madness, the lies, the manipulation, etc and you feel as though you have some valid communication with him...well, it's your choice
having an adult conversation with your daughter about his struggles may be a choice as well, be real, be true?