David.. .I totally respect you for trying to help your friend. I wish there was more you could do to truly help him, but - as everyone else here has said... he will have to hit rock bottom and make the decision to get help himself. This is coming from the daughter of two alcoholics (I don't drink at all... wonder why?)and someone who also had an alcoholic for a step father.

I have to agree in a way that yes you are enabling him. but I also get why you find it hard to do the tough love thing. It's a rock and a hard place.

He may hit rock bottom for another reason entirely at some point. But it is a lot like watching a toddler make his/her way through traffic - very scary and hard to to watch without doing anything. So I get why you are trying to help. I don't have any advice for you at all. Just offering words of support to you... you are a great person for trying.