Originally Posted by
newenglandgirl 
I've been doing a good job of being detached for the most part...but there are some tough moments...it's just so hard, as all of you know, to leave a mentally ill person alone to "deal with it" and "get help when they ask and are ready to be helped". But I can't force him to get help. And I can't be with him when he crazy and drinking.
Yes, it is sad, and it is hard.
It sounds like your handling it as best as you can with detaching and keeping your boundaries intact for you, and at the same time, still having some compassion for him! That's very difficult to balance at times.
Smart idea about the 'public' meeting place for the exchange. Let us know how it goes, and good luck!