I am a double winner and have been a member of Al Anon since 2001. I am an alcoholic and a codependent. I tend to identify more with other codependents than other alcoholics.
Maybe it's because in active alcoholism, I was single and drank alone secretly.
I love reading the FF section. It reminds me of where I was with my relationship with an abusive drunk and also as a child growing up with an alcoholic dad and a pill addict mom.
My best friend is an active alcoholic so I still have to practice the Al Anon program on a daily basis.
I sometimes joke that it's not fair I never had my personal enabler/codependent but seriously, I am VERY grateful I never put another person through the grinder like that.
Like I say, I am single and reading those stories is a good reminder why I do not want to date another alcoholic sober or not. It also gives me tools to engage in a healthy romantic relationship if I meet someone.