hmm, well for "my alcoholism" truthfully I "need" other alcoholics say for sponsorship, support groups etc. but once we get into "addiction" and "addiction issues" any "addict" will do, also other alcoholics can/will/do help me in regards to other addictions I may already have/acquire such as relationships...eating...anything....video games, whatever, I can "use" anything addictively as ultimately I have an "addictive personality"
The way recovery is "based" we share our "experience" we don't share our "opinion" unless specifically requested and we most certainly try to never give "advice"
Usually something like I tried "this" and got "this result" (failure) but when I "tried this" I got "this result" (success)
So that's why you see "recovered" people on these boards discussing their "experience, strength, and hope" and generally speaking not "giving advice or opinion"
So, back to the question, an "addict" can help with "addiction issues" but can't "help" with alcoholism because (s)he has no experience with it.
that's why I don't sponsor (among other reasons) females, heroin addicts, meth addicts etc because I have no "experience being a female, or heroin addict or meth head.
Hope this answers your question