Sorry to hear about your loss, it means a good amount to many of us here to share your grief and remembrance of him!
One of my high school buddies passed away early yesterday, he was in treatment for chronic alcohol abuse as well. Only 33 years old and I feel like he was just shy of overcoming it all.
The ending scene in Stand By Me will replay over and over again in my head, where the figure of River Phoenix fades away in passing. I would have given my life any day to save his, but there is never any choice in the matter, is there?