<human>: Can you give me the gist of the text in a nutshell?

*Posting from alternate account, as some of our mutual friends know my main username.*

My good friend (Let's call her Alice. Obviously, that isn't her real name.) had what I would describe as a mental breakdown of sorts during the end of summer/early autumn 2014. 

She is currently seeking treatment in an outpatient facility several states away from the state in which we grew up (and the state in which I happen to live). We're in the US, but I'm not sure that matters.

The sole means by which I am able to contact Alice are letters or postcards. I believe she is able to write back, but possibly hasn't due to the expense of postage/stationery (she's quite well-liked, and from talking with our mutual friends, it's likely she's gotten a good deal of mail so far.) I haven't received any letters from her in the five months she's been in treatment.

I'm actually pretty hurt that she hasn't written back. I know she *can*--she's written at least one letter to her former roommate, though I have no idea what information the letter contained.

I find it difficult to deal with her absence. It's really just now hitting me (Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years' distracted me a bit). It's not unusual for the two of us to go a few weeks without texting due to that we haven't lived in the same city in nearly 6 years. I miss her presence in my life.

What sort of resources exist for friends of people who are in treatment for lengthy periods of time? I would love self-help book recommendations, if any such books exist. I imagine this would be similar to coping with the absence of an incarcerated friend/family member--just not as serious.
<bot>: Good friend is essentially institutionalized for 15 months. Looking for resources for learning how to cope with her absence. Are there any good book resources out there for my situation?