Trace, you can't "fix" another person and this partner was the one who ruined the relationship with his drug use. And he did not stop using drugs and that was not your fault or anything you should feel guilty about. If you stopped communicating and years passed by, and he met this end this was not your doing, was his and his alone.

When we love someone we really want the best for that person, we want that person to be happy and safe. Yet, people we love can end up making bad choices and it's very sad when we see that happen. However, all of us are limited in how much control we can have over another person.

It might be helpful for you to take some time and see how you may have developed the belief where if something bad happens to someone else you love that somehow it is your fault and that you should feel guilty.

This could have been something you watched someone else do, insist on self blaming for a loss when it really wasn't their fault. Or, sometimes this belief comes from a parent or mentor/teacher/trainer who encouraged you to believe that if something bad happens then you are to blame.

What would you say to someone else if you saw that person feeling guilt when something bad happened to someone they loved? I seriously doubt you would encourage that person to feel guilt. So, with that have a quiet sit down with yourself and encourage self not to self blame for a tragic ending that is not in anyway your fault or that you should carry personal guilt for.