Still in love, but I have to break up. HELP!!

I've been dating this guy for about 3 years. We were great friends for about 5 years, then in my senior year we started dating. He's really an amazing person. He's very loving but really sucks at showing me how he cares about me. He's great at telling me, but never gives a girl a little pride in her man unless she asks, you know? My problem is, I love him. He knows me inside and out, and I him. We just adore each other, God knows. It's a problem because.. well, he has problems.

In a delicate situation like ours, I'll try to sum up the faults. He committed a terrible crime which has caused him to owe LOTS of money he'll be paying off his whole life. So in short, he's fucking always broke. I pretty much pay for everything, including his food, etc. I love him so much, but I really feel like his mom sometimes, putting up with as much as I do. And I don't mean just buying stuff. He plays the "depressed" card because of what he owes and with probation shit, etc. I feel like I am obligated to help and care for him.. but the fact remains: I'm just fucking sick of it all.

This weekend, my friends and I and my boyfriend floated a river nearby and got pretty drunk. My boyfriend became belligerent as usual (he's Irish, hah)but went way over the edge. He hit me, called me a cunt repeatedly, and got in a fight with one of my best friends (another guy, bigger than him, who beat the shit out of him)because my friend was defending me.

Now.. normally, I would take fucking anyones advice and dump that piece of shit right on the spot. But since we've been together so long.. I wanted to wait until we'd sobered up. The next day (2 days ago) I did the deed. I felt better, but my heart ached with the thought of how much more sad he would be without me. I know I am the only thing that can bring him happiness right now (i am all he lets in) I have trapped myself into this obligation of caring about him that i can't let go. Already I've seen him again (in fact I bought him lunch yesterday.. fuck..) and he calls me and texts me all day long. He still calls me babe.. and I STILL love him. Despite everything.. I can't get him out of my head.

Is the only solution to go cold turkey? To tell him flat out not ever to call me again? My last ex stalked me for nearly 3 years when I did this same thing.. and the last thing i want is for my boyfriend (er, ex now) to haunt me for years.

I just want to move on, but I'm still in love with a loser... what do I do??? :( Wahhhh.

Thanks.