Cult dependency: affiliation to a cult as addictive behavior.

Abstract

This article questions the attribution of the sectarian problems to the coercive techniques applied upon the adepts. By contrast, this article locates the genesis of the problem in the subject’s psycho-social factors (pre-sectarian personality) that increase their vulnerability and facilitate the process of their submission and dependence from the group. Only when such dependence becomes noticeable, the coercive strategies fated to exploit the adept can become effective. The ultimate expression of group-dependence is the sectariandependence, which is an addictive track that shares similar psychosocial triggers, in addition to the same biochemical brain processes with addictions to substances (alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, etc.) or behavioral addictions (gambling, shopping, work, etc.). The extreme attachment to a “sect” is fundamentally attributable (but not only) to the fact that it acts as an anxiety reducer. And this is more effective and desirable the more fragile the psychosocial profile of a subject may have become, previous to his affiliation to the sect.