Drug ADDICTION changed Andy Irons’ surfing - Joel Parkinson #shorts

[Hydrnaught]

My brother went down a similar path. Racing dirt bikes he literally had the world at his feet we did 2 seasons in Italy when he was 16 & I was 15. We came back & he got into heroin & the rest is history.
He survived on methadone & alcohol until he died at 65.
He died well before he "actually" died.

[shacktime]

Absolutely everyone should read From Chocolate to Morphine. It’s pretty much THE definitive text on all drugs, legal and illicit, and what they do to the brain and body. It’s in very easy to understand plain spoken English. It should be required reading in every grade school starting at the 5th grade. Guaranteed it would drastically reduce addiction and related issues.

[rawaloha]

Extremely important conversation. Grew up with A.I. His surfing was so hard, so pure. This clip hurts, but if it helps even just one other person it’s worth it.

[Akooks]

Since I was 15 I had a rough road with drugs, mainly opiates. I was using H by the time I was 17 but I kept surfing. After a long time of sobriety and relapses I found that meth and surfing was an insane mix. I would surf for 6 hours a day before work, usually paddle out before the sun rise. Then go home and get ready for a long night of serving tables or bartending. But eventually my life fell apart once more. All I wanted to do was get high and go surf, stopped showing up for work and had gnarly psychosis. Now Im 35, I got 3 years clean and I’m in Nicaragua right now on a surf trip. I could never do that before, but I got money saved up for the first time and my surfing has never been better. I feel like a lot of the guys on the ASP tour were party animals and it was part of the surf culture back then.

[HotdogJohnson-tjgg]

Just saying hello to someone in dark places can be a lift up for them. Being a friend and not an enabler. Letting them know you care and if they ever want to be sober u can help with a ride or a conversation. It helps a lot. ❤

[gbb]

Joel was a good friend. You can tell he's sad, even though he can hide it. RIP Andy rest in heaven you and your Pops.

[shugyoforyou]

It's heartbreaking. He was brilliant and very much loved. Great to see Bruce out hitting up spots and crushing it with Koa! 🙏

[KevinGroner-cqvu]

Blues for those wondering are Roxy’s or Oxys. It’s a sad thing to see first hand. Don’t blame the person. Blame the doctor and the pharmacy! And our government for allowing that horse shit to be an option. Hope axel learns from his father ❤️👊

[vladoskrepnik]

This is the sad story in so many peoples lives....

[jgruber]

I never ever had a problem with anything until I got injured in a car accident! Went two years trying everything to get back to normal, took a loracet, and it wrecked my life

[ryanwittmann]

Such a true testimony, unbelievable competitor, powerful addiction

[redeyestones]

Same thing happened to my dad. Opiates are evil

[david-cpbz]

Drugs are evil. Sending love to everyone fighting the fight. You’re better sober. Hang in there.

[darrenoakley]

Me with football surfing and bmx’ing! Tore my knee up playing football, back then they would load you up on painkillers and refills like candy, had complications needed them for longer and before I knew it I was shooting heroin and doing everything else! Than God I got my life back 9 years ago and haven’t looked back! Rest easy AI and anyone going through it hang tf in there🤙🏽!!!

[RamFlyA]

I miss you Andy. North Sentinel Board Riders for Life 🤙🏼🇨🇷😎

[elsajohnson]

I’ve done pretty much everything under the sun and for whatever reason opiates, particularly Oxys were the only thing I wasn’t able to put down. I started em in 07? Before it was common knowledge just how strong and addictive they were, was 16 I think. I never used them to get all nodded and fucked up like so many people did but not having a script and people charging 30 a pop was devastating for my life, I didn’t abuse them but I was completely stuck on them. For whatever reason alcohol, coke etc.. were fun here and there but they just weren’t really my thing, whether it’s body chemistry etc.. Oxys on the other hand were like a missing puzzle piece as messed up as that sounds, I honestly functioned better. Anxiety gone, had energy, focus, pain gone etc.. the huge problem was that without them I was in shambles. Most people can’t or refuse to understand just how deep these types of addictions are, if you’re one of the unlucky people who get stuck on them it’s literally like trying to give up food or water. No joke

[jesqui]

Sad to see another person with so much potential to be great person in life as a role model, father, and athlete ruined by drug addiction. Truly sad.

[antondp]

Broke my heart how he left in that landlocked hotel room! 🙁

[cruzanbum]

Watch “Dope Sick”… Andy was one of many, many people.

[cisco]

Took me away for years. I’m still using buprenorphine as a way forward from hourly addiction. Never start that shit