The biggest hurdle is figuring out who your friends are. Your real friends.

You find out who your real friends are when you're involved in a scandal.

Real friends are very special, but you have to be careful because sometimes you have a friend and you think they are made of rock, then suddenly you realise they're only made of sand.

What I have found is that real friends stand by you.

Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends.

Tell people how it is, be real and be honest.
If you see something wrong make sure you speak up.
Being this way will naturally eliminate the snakes and fakes.