Our behavior often reflects the environment we surround ourselves within, along with the people. This could be within your friends or your family. Growing up, I watched my dad struggle with alcohol and how he abused it. He has always been one of my biggest mentors. However, watching him struggle weighed on our family horribly. I will always be proud of him for stepping up and becoming sober. Then, up until a few months ago, I was surrounding myself with the wrong people. They were negative, teen alcoholics, and they also struggled with substance abuse surrounding weed. This reflected on me highly. I became very negative and I pushed myself away from others. I became extremely unhappy with my life and was always in a fit of rage. It was also causing my anxiety to sky rocket. While I was not the person in the group who was struggling with substance abuse, the people around me were. After a series of events, I realized I needed to change. I needed to step away from these harmful people and figure out my own path. By doing so, I was able to reconnect with my childhood best friends and branch out more through my school. My anxiety and my anger slowly decreased and I finally felt like myself again. It was not easy for me to step away from these friends, because I cared about them highly. However, I knew it was right because I did not want to follow the footsteps of many family members surrounding teen alcoholism. Eventually, I tried to help these same friends realize what they were doing to themselves. As much as I tried, and tried again, they never heard me. They would push off my words and point them to be harmful. Which was not the case whatsoever. I am a person who only wants the best for others, regardless on our social standings. There was one friend that I was able to get though to. We worked together to help create a plan so he can recover and better himself for his future. He is now thriving in school, work, and with others. As I previously stated, I have not struggled with substance abuse. However, after seeing what it does to the people I love, I know that it is no joke. I also know that it is a situation I never want to find myself in again. Regardless of my situation with substance abuse, I feel as though I have grown. I have learned ways to help others who were struggling with substance abuse. I have also learned more about substance abuse and the dangers it can bring to lives and relationships with others. As I finish high school, I have discovered what my educational goals are. I want to attend a 4-year university and major in education. I want to major in education because not only does it suit me, I have a passion for teaching young minds. I am excited to continue on my newly discovered path for myself. I know it will bring me success, even if they are some bumps in the road.