Hi Shaggy , ... our stories are very similar , as I read your thread . And I too often asked that question , can an alienator be anyone? And I've noticed some things about my W that make me think that the right answer is "YES".
Just like your W , my W has a friend ( a girl , who is seperated from W brother after he admitted to having an affair ) and they are inseperable. They text everyday from morning to night and see each other whenever possible. Even though my W has moved out almost 2 months ago , I can still tell that she occupies herself with work , shopping ( I don't know how as she doesn't make much $ ) and our kids on days that she has them. I think of all those things as "alienator" in some way . She pretty much avoids being alone at the apartment , because , as we all know , when all is still and quiet , thats when the thoughts start creeping in . And she looks very depressed alot .
One night she texted me , asking what I was doing , I told her that I was watching a movie. She replied that she was also watching a movie with her "boyfriend" actor so and so . I later remembered she had started going to movies after BD and thinking back , alot of the movies she went to see , had that actor in it , got me thinking he was the "fantasy alienator". My W fits the "wallower" category, for now anyways and it's almost like she tried to be "High energy" at first after BD , but it's like it didn't work .
Anyways I didn't mean to highjack , or make this about myself , just though it would help you a little bit , to hear that yes , other things can be an alienator .
Stay Strong !!!!