Friend Overdosed

[diamond.in.the.rough]

Today in my first block class my teacher told me to go down to the office. He informed me that a friend of mine was missing, her mother didn't even know where she was, and the assistance principal just wanted to ask me some questions to see if I could help any. Now, of course I was worried at this point, but Sarah's known for her erratic behavior. So I went down to the office and talked with Miss Farwell but couldn't do much because I didn't know anything.
When I went back to class I was getting more and more worried as time went by. Somehow deep inside me I knew what had happened but I was hoping that she had just fallen asleep over at a friends house or something. But during second block I was called down to the office once again. Miss Farwell told me that Sarah had in fact overdosed and was in the hospital.
Somehow I kept it together for the rest of school. I was actually one of two students the office told about this so the only other people who found out was my 'clique'. And most of them never really liked Sarah much so there was much support there.
I really want to go to the hospital but I don't want to get in the way or anything. And I feel like this is all my fault. I knew she was doing crap that she shouldn't be but I just turned a blind eye to it. Right now though I'm just taking solice in the fact that she's still alive but I just don't know what I'm going to do.

[RebDoMINe]

Wow, I am so sorry. That's absolutely horrible and very tragic, but I'm glad for everyone's sake that she's still alive.

About your feeling guilty, though--you definitely should not. It's amazing, how many people we all know who tell us about their drugs, alcohol, pills, self-mutilation, suicidal/homicdal thoughts, etc. It's come to a point where you never know who is serious, who needs help, and who will just grow out of it before it's a problem.

I'm sure other people knew. And even if they didn't--this is not your fault. This is hers. I'm not trying to say she deserved anything, or that she got what she had coming by being put in the hospital. I try very hard not to condemn people that way. But you didn't force her to do anything...she did it.

Many times, parents, counselors, teachers, or otherwise don't take these things seriously because they see it so often. And other times, they take it too seriously.

I don't know what the situation was, but it was definitely not your fault. You can't worry about having prevented this from happening. Hindsight is always 20/20. We all wish we could go back and change things, but we can't

Just find peace in the fact that this was not your fault. You never did anything to make her do what she did. She did it to herself...you could never have known this would happen.

And about visiting her--I would suggest you give her parents a call and just ask them if you would be in the way. I'm sure they'll appreciate the gesture, and I'm also sure your friend will be thrilled to see you--a good, kind, caring friend who wants to help her through this. You obviously care...show it to them.