If people have a basic understanding of right from wrong, possess a strong desire to better themselves and persist in there cause, they can break the chain of any negative environment.
Whatever you do for the sole purpose of having others admire you, your efforts will most likely be in vain.
The thing is, at the end of the day you still have to face yourself.
Ask yourself: was there anything I could have done to prevent the situation? If the answer is yes, do something now and become a better person for it.
To help yourself, you must be yourself. Be the best that you can be. When you make a mistake, learn from it, pick yourself up and move on.
When you please others in hopes of being accepted, you lose you self-worth in the process.