Being a recovering addict myself as are many others on this board who I'm sure will also chime in...YES, it is essential to have other friends in recovery because they understand exactly what you're going through while "normies" or co-dependents don't, despite however much they think they do. Recovering addicts are a good influence generally as they have the same goal as your boyfriend - getting and staying clean/sober, turning their lives around, and making amends to those they have hurt through their addiction. Recovering addicts have friends in recovery because they can mutually support each other in ways that normies or co-dependents simply cannot do.
Chino has some sound advice--not only do drug addicts have to recover, but so do their family members from all the traumas they may have endured at the hand of addiction. Read around on these boards, you'll find a lot of helpful info.