I don't know that IF will either help or hurt abstinence, but it does help with weight and blood sugar control. I do a mild form, of eating once a day until satiation, without counting calories. Some other forms might be eat every other day within a certain time frame, or have a restricted calorie day alternating with an unrestricted calorie day. I'd recommend trying a medium-term fast at some point, like 3 days straight, to start learning the difference between cravings and real hunger. A medium-term fast can give you a jump-start by increasing metabolism, decreasing cravings, and lowering insulin levels (which can lower your "body set weight").
Here's a blog from a medical doctor on the topic. There's a ton of pages of reading!!!
https://idmprogram.com/fasting-a-history-part-i/