I might have missed it 24 pages deep, but many of the people that get sucked into audiophilia are high achievers in other areas. They have the money to spend on gadgets, so likely successful professionally. Or they have a high interest in gadgets and consider themselves technically minded.
A little exploration, reading reviews, well-intended auditions and they find themselves a few thousand dollars poorer but enjoying the hobby.
They eventually are further enlightened about the reality of the industry (from ASR or elsewhere) and that their prior purchases were likely misguided. They were duped, and find themselves in unfamiliar territory with injured pride.
They now feel reformed, maybe jaded, and don’t want others to be gullible the way they were. It all adds up to me. No addiction necessary, but still a commonality of reform.