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Andy grew up in Santa Cruz and got caught up in the laid-back party lifestyle early on. His mom was really supportive of his skateboarding and put him in sports at a young age. In 7th grade, Andy started stealing cocaine and weed from his mom, and alcohol from his dad. Andy got his start in the world of skateboarding at this time, seeing some of the big names doing crazy stuff, and said "That's what I wanna do". It was an outlaw lifestyle that appealed to him, and before he knew it, this was his new career.

Soon he found himself on a professional team, with sponsors. He broke his ankle and was out for 6 months, and decided since he wasn't skating he should try and smoke heroin. This began his addiction, right when he signed with Anti-Hero. He did all his drugs and was strung out... even his manager enabled his addiction by saying at a tournament "I'll give you some crack and a hooker if you get 5th place." This obviously was a bad environment for him, and his drug use got really out of control. He started disappearing, not skating, and ignoring his friends. He spent time in jail and in prison. He lost his girlfriend of 6 years. His addiction became more important than his career, and this eventually was his wake-up call he needed to change his life for the better.

Now, Andy says this is the happiest he's been in his life. He's working at a treatment center called New Origins, where he was taken in by recommendation of his ex-girlfriend, who reached out to them to get Andy help. He went through his treatment and has been sober now for 20 months. Now Andy tries to reach out to struggling kids and get them into treatment. He sees a counselor every week, lets out what he needs to let out, and now has a better understanding of himself. He's also giving skateboard lessons with kids and hosting contests and events on a regular basis. He says he wouldn't wish addiction on his worst enemy, and knows how destructive it can be in your life. Now he's trying to use his platform and fame for helping others.

This is Andy Roy in his own words, on Knockin' Doorz Down.

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