About Guy
Guy Felicella was raised in a middle-class family in British Columbia. Following early experiences of trauma, undiagnosed ADHD, and challenges at home and in school, he developed a substance use disorder at a young age. For over 30 years, Guy lived within a cycle of gang involvement, addiction, treatment, and incarceration.
He spent nearly two decades within a two-block radius of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, one of Canada’s most visible epicenters of the overdose crisis. Through a combination of personal determination and the support of others, particularly through harm reduction and recovery services, Guy survived the HIV/AIDS crisis, nearly 20 years of homelessness, multiple life-threatening bone infections, and six overdoses.
Today, Guy lives in long-term recovery, with over a 13 years of sobriety. He resides with his wife and three children and has dedicated his life to advocacy, education, and systemic change.
Guy is deeply committed to supporting individuals experiencing addiction and mental health challenges. He is a strong advocate for a comprehensive, full-spectrum approach to care, spanning harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, and works to challenge and reduce the stigma associated with substance use.
As a sought-after international public speaker, Guy presents at conferences, summits, seminars, and TEDx events. He also partners with school districts and post-secondary institutions to educate youth about substance use, prevention, and resilience. Drawing on his lived experience, Guy engages audiences with authenticity and insight, inspiring meaningful conversations and action.
Having spent much of his life in active addiction, Guy now channels his experience into changing perceptions, influencing policy, and offering hope. He remains deeply committed to giving back to the communities that supported him through his most difficult years and continues to share a message of hope with individuals, families, and communities around the world..