I personally think... That one doesn't have to have a history of drug and alchohol issues to understand something of what it is like... The same way one doesn't have to have a history of schizophrenia or BPD or bipolar or depression or anxiety or OCD to understand what it is like enough to be able to help someone with those issues. I do agree, though, that it can be harder for people to understand who don't have a history, but I don't think that there is any special helping ability conferred on those with a history.

When it comes to support though, yeah I guess I hear people when they say that it helps to talk to people who have been through similar issues. I understand why someone might prefer to go to someone with a history with certain issues. Might just be that the t is a bad match though...