Originally Posted by
CONFUSEDnTIRED 
He is begging me for help but I don't know how to help him and protect myself from the emotional pain at the same time.
Hi ConfusednTired!
to SR in case no one's said it yet.
Please try to remember that:
You didn't CAUSE it
You can't CURE it.
You can't CONTROL it.
No matter how he begs you to help, it's not your job to do that. You do not have it within your power to "help", "cure", "make him better". That's *entirely* within his hands. Give him the number to AA and step waaaaaaay back.