Hi, Theresa.
Full disclosure: I am a firm believer in Al-Anon.
I learned so much in those rooms about alcohol addiction, about how it affects families, and, in a broader sense, about how to deal with what life throws me.
I have taken those tools and applied them throughout my day to day living.
When I decided to stop drinking, I went to AA because, as it is the companion program to Al-Anon, I knew that it worked.
I don’t go to AA anymore, but I still go to Al-Anon.
That being said, I recognize that it may not be for everyone.
The general recommendation to newcomers is that they give meetings a try for a couple of months, and that they try different meetings.
The meetings have their own vibe. I prefer large meetings with lots of diversity.
It is great that your SO is pursuing a recovery path, and that you are learning from the AA open meetings that you attend with him.
You can do both: AA and Al-Anon, if you can fit them in.
Anyway, good luck and good thoughts.