Addiction is not a choice. Addiction is something I have dealt with firsthand. I have seen how it destroys families, careers, life plans, and more. My ex-stepfather struggled with addiction his whole life. The hiding, emotional outbreaks, and anxiety, that accompanied it is what destroyed our family. My stepfather was a promising guy. He was charismatic, loving, hardworking, and a great father figure. However, addiction got the best of him. My stepfather lost his job, his significant other, his house, his independence, and his integrity. While it was challenging watching the man who became my father figure for over 8 years fall apart, it was more challenging watching what it did to his children. My older stepbrothers began committing crimes and even served jail time. My stepbrothers also caved to drugs and developed addictions of their own. While I have not seen my stepbrothers in a long time, my personal experience with how addiction affects children came from my younger half-brother. My half-brother at the time was a young child, barely able to remember the separation of his father and our mother. Due to his age, he was not able to see or understand his father's addiction until recent years. After reaching enough emotional maturity to understand, he began questioning why his father was absent. To this day, he faces self-doubt about his father choosing drugs over him. The kids at his school joke about his father's absence, and even ask if he participates in the use of drugs. Kids also tease him about not attending parties and typical high school experiences. They call him names such as lame, loser, and wuss. He puts on a brave face and pretends he does not care but cries to me. My brother is not alone in these feelings. Thousands across the world face similar struggles which is why combating addiction is important. Through additional education, I would like to get a master's degree in nursing and specialize in emergency medicine. In doing so, not only will I have the knowledge it takes to help others, but I will also be able to identify common tendencies in early users. By being able to experience the medical role of addiction, I can plan for early intervention in hopes of caring for those who struggle. I want to create a judgment-free zone for those struggling with addiction, so they have an outlet and can gain the motivation it takes to quit.