I'm glad things worked out for you and your girlfriend. I would absolutely advise the SO of an addict/alcoholic to leave, because I think the best way to heal from a relationship with an addict -- which is often an abusive relationship as well -- is to get out of it and try to move on.
I get very very angry when I hear people, especially women, feel that they need to stay in a relationship to try and fix the addict, especially if they are being abused, either verbally, physically or emotionally.