Addiction has always been a tough topic growing up in my household; especially with my immigrant parents who have always wanted me to get an education. Growing up my mom would always tell me to stay away from drugs and I always wondered why she was so adamant about reminding me of that when I thought, obviously, that it was common sense. My mom and dad divorced when I was about four, and I loved spending time with my dad. Seeing my dad was very sporadic because he was a commercial fisherman so I would see him on and off. As I got older it turned out he wasn't always out fishing but getting arrested for possession. A couple years later my father died of an overdose five days before I was supposed to have my tenth birthday at his house. Naturally, as a nine year old I didn't really understand how to take his death. I actually tried to ignore it and went to school the next day and took my state testing. I thought everyone asking me about it and comforting me was very uncomfortable. A couple years down the line when I started high school I also started experimenting with substances, even though I told myself I never would after my dad's passing. When I was 15 I thought that doing those substances with my friends was fun and that it was only a "one time event" or that if I wanted to just quit I could. Eventually I got passed my addiction but it was very difficult going through the waves of quitting and using again. I am now almost two years sober and plan to make my education my life now, not the substances that controlled me or my father. This negatively impacted my learning going through school. Eventually, though I started pushing through and trying to get over my addictions. This has helped me to appreciate things and work harder for the things that I want. Now, instead of not going to school I am attending Johnson & Wales university and I am majoring in Equine science and tracking to pre-vet. Though sometimes I look back on my old life I would never go back. Going through the experiences I went through helped me to become to goal-oriented and determined person I am today, and I would never want to touch another substance ever again.