I think we need to be careful not to trivialise the word 'addiction' by overusing it. If you describe any activity you like doing as 'addiction' you lose the force of the word - even an activity you might be a bit obsessive about.

I agree.  I was intrigued by the Soul Snatcher author's comparisons, but becoming a member of a cult isn't the same thing, IMO.  He used the World Health Organization's definition of addiction, too, which is different than  the DSM-V definitions, which are used for diagnosis in the U.S.

One also has to consider that there's coercive persuasion and mental manipulation involved with cult membership.  It may be that it seems like an addiction, but it's not the same thing at all. I've got many family members who have been alcoholics and there's just no way one can compare the two.  Apples and oranges, I think. 

I do think though, that by definition, being in a cult is destructive, but just not in the same way as addiction to substances or a behaviorial addiction, such as gambling.

Cynthia