Stumped

When I met him he was fun, charming and brilliant. I looked forward to the weekends when I would join him and his lover for elaborate dinner parties where the sangria pitcher was bottomless and the music never stopped. He was ingratiating and warm. He doted on me and made me feel like the guest of honor at every turn. His eclectic style was chic in his urban pad. I found him worldly and facinating. Unfortunately nothing remains the same for long.

I have stood by and watched my friend spiral downward into alcoholism. I have seen his eyes red rimmed for years now and I'm afraid that they will never shine bright again. There was a time in my life when I too stuggled with the bottle but thank goodness responsability and reason changed my life for the better. My dear friend has lost his home, his credit is ruined and he seems to have lost his self respect. Living in his parents basement isn't where he saw himself being at this stage of his life. So now I wonder, what does a friend do? Do I tell him what he already knows and hears everyday? Do I stand by and listen to the same stories another hundred times, or do I stand up, look him in the eyes and tell him that no one cares anymore. His lover is about to leave him, his family has had enough and I just can't smile and bear it any longer. I can't abandon him but I also can't sit back and watch him kill himself and destroy all that was once good in his life. He is stubborn and self righteous and he will see any attempt at intervention as a personal attack. I truely don't know what to do. I care for my friend but I can't let his demons take me down too.