Bah. Eventually they all hit bottom, whether it's via a slippery slope or a slippery staircase, and all the help in the world (financial, "advice", whatever) won't change a thing. Change comes from within.

And, you are mistaken that people are being taken advantage of. Either Miggy needs help, or she doesn't. And, it's a personal choice to help...or not help. But, judging the circumstances around her needs, based on past situations, doesn't change the needs. Even if it's cyber-panhandling, she has an apparent need.

If I give the homeless guy on the corner a Twenty, I don't do a background check on him. Nor does it stop me from giving him more on other occasions, even though he's been doing it for months, or years. His demons are his own, and even if he uses that 20 to feed his demons, it's not up to me to judge.