Hi, I’m Norman Fox — and if you think you know me from somewhere, you probably do.

Over the years, I’ve connected with people in all kinds of ways. Whether we crossed paths through work, recovery, or everyday life, I’m glad you’ve found your way here.

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I’m one of many Recovery Coaches in Vancouver — and possibly one of hundreds in B.C. I built this website to reach anyone looking for help with addiction recovery, whether for yourself or someone you care about.

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My background includes professional training and certification as a Recovery Coach, counselling skills, Red Cross child abuse prevention, and plenty of workplace training in mental health first aid, harm reduction, and non-violent communication.

I’ve worked in private treatment centers, supported people in transitional housing, and spent two seasons as a dishwasher at a floating fishing lodge on the B.C. Central Coast. (Hello to old friends in Bella Bella!) I also spent years as a clinical support worker at one of Vancouver’s most well-known addiction treatment centers — the same one I graduated from nearly 40 years ago. I'm also a Vancouver artist and you can see some of my street photography here.

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Vancouver is home.

It’s where my kids were raised, where I know all the good cafes, and where I know — without a doubt — that there are people living like I once did: stuck in lives that feel out of control, with only a narrow, institutional set of recovery options in front of them.

For nearly 20 years, I helped people navigate recovery the way I was taught — through steps, programs, and structured approaches. And sometimes, those things work. But what I’ve come to believe is this: real recovery isn’t something you complete. It’s not a program. It’s your life.

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I’ve been through treatment. I’ve sat in group therapy. I’ve worked the steps. Each of those had value, but they’re not the reason I stayed in recovery. What made the difference? Conversations. Real human connection. People who had been where I’d been, who didn’t try to fix me — they just listened, shared their experience, and reminded me I wasn’t alone.

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That’s what I offer as a recovery coach. Not a formula — a relationship. Real support, for the long haul.

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If you’re here because you’re worried about your child, I get it. You want them to be safe, supported, and truly heard. Let’s talk about what recovery could look like for them — not just as a program, but as a real, lasting change. Sometimes recovery starts with a parent reaching out first. I can help you start that conversation and create space for your child to engage when they’re ready.

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If you’ve tried treatment and felt like it didn’t prepare you for real life, you’re not alone. And if you don’t want to go to treatment at all, you don’t have to — in fact, that may not be the best place for you. Recovery doesn’t happen in a program. It happens in your life.

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If you're ready to talk, I’m here. Real recovery starts with a real conversation. (That's something else that I am very good at.)

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And if you’d like to read more reflections on recovery, personal growth, and life beyond treatment, check out my blog.