@theoretical

It sounds like your passion is similar to search & rescue. You want to help out those who cannot (for whatever reason) help themselves.

I'd say that your intentions are good, heroic even.

Whether or not it is a good idea to intervene, well, that's situational. It would depend on whether or not the "victim" can be taught how to fight his/her own battles. If so, then that would be the best step. But sometimes there are situations that call for someone to step in. "Mediation" is a career that involves stepping into a situation when two parties cannot agree (the two parties can be businesses or families, in tort law, business law, or family law). Mediation in no way an act of co-dependency, and neither is search & rescue. If you're stopping a fight (verbal or physical), mediating a situation, or even temporarily stopping a parent or an abusive person from beating up a child, elderly person, disabled person, or battered partner, those are heroic deeds, at least for the short-term. In cases of child abuse, elder abuse, intimate partner violence (all involving some sort of domestic violence), the abuse may be ongoing because the victims either cannot leave or are coerced into staying. Still, the act of stopping an abuse in public is heroic. It's best to call the police or protective services (for child or elder maltreatment) if some abuse is happening.

If it's a friend who has a pattern of involving you in their drama, then that could lead to co-dependency; in essence, you are being used and/or triangulation is occurring. In those cases, set your boundaries and/or walk away. Not worth your time if your advice or help is not going to be heard or appreciated. It's tough when it's someone involved in an ongoing intimate partner violence or workplace bullying; your help may be only temporary, and escape is hard for victims even when police and authorities are involved.

Have you thought about a career in search and rescue, police, or some other hero-like job? You definitely have the passion involved in heroic jobs.