Does the guilt go away?

[Youvegotthis1]

One of my friends recently lost his battle with his demons and is no longer with us. While my logic brain says I shouldn’t feel guilty I just cannot shake the guilt that i could have done more. Does this feeling ever go away?

[Bethie]

Hi

In my experience yes in time it will. Accept that it was their choice. They went because they wanted to. No matter what you could have said or done can change that.

In recovery from drug and alchol addiction I've seen many many freinds fall. It is never easy but it is a choice. What ever you believe in hold onto that. It will give you strength.

[demonblaster]

You've got this I really am sorry for your loss

As Beth said the chances are their mind was made up & as terribly hard as it is I hope you can try not to let this guilt continue to consume you. It's part of grieving & in time the pain does ease but for your sake you need to free yourself of this.

When someone's in so deep it's so hard to know what to do how to help. What people say at that point is mostly heard as just words.

This isn't fair on you to be taking this on, you have enough pain to deal with

If you'd like to talk anytime about how you're feeling please do, were listening & care

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi You've got this,

Thank you for your post.

I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss 😞

I can relate to a lot of what you're feeling, and have felt similar. For a long time things racked through my brain of if only I could have done more, or done differently - been there or been here. It is overwhelming, and I really empathise with you. But what your friend did was their choice and their choice only. Only your friend was responsible for their life.

Please try to remember that guilt is a feeling and we hold onto it only while our hearts heal and while we grieve.

You also may find this helpful -

http://survivorsofsuicide.com.au/survivors-bill-rights/

[Youvegotthis1]

Thank you to everyone for your sympathies and advice. Seeing it from an outside perspective has helped. Gonna miss my friend. RIP SJC. 

[demonblaster]

Yw hun 🤗