@Zenith for sure.
The metaphor does break down a little though.

I get it. I don't blame either side. It's shit to have to beg constantly for stuff, to feel alone, to feel hopeless. I want nothing more than to help those people.

But I can't really push people to associate with someone in a toxic pushing people away spiral.

It's desperately hard to be in someone's life who turns every conversation into a fight, who intentionally does hurtful things, who lashes out when good things happen....

It's a lot to ask from people and the kind of people who stayed as long as they did are probably at the end of their ability already.

I wish I could fix things. I hate leaving people in distress. But I can't help people who won't let me come close enough to.

So yeah, that's kind of my plea - hoping people can find just enough faith in humanity, for a moment, to let help in through the door.