I think stepping back and allowing an adult to make their own life
decisions, including living the consequences of those decisions, is true respect.
To rescue an adult repeatedly from a self-created crisis cripples them
and sends a message that you think them incapable and you more so.
I wish I had known this when I kept rescuing my alcoholic mother.
Later, when I became alcoholic it was only when my husband stopped
enabling me by fixing, rescuing, and repairing consequences I created
did I make the choice to stop and deal with my addiction myself.
By the way--I really resented him for it at one level although I accepted
his bailout because they let me keep drinking.
It's hard, but letting him fall demonstrates both respect and mercy when you
do it with love and compassion--the same love and compassion you owe yourself.