I think what the author is getting at is whether theism or naturalism/materialism is the right world view and whether God or something else is the cure.
I am the author. The only resemblance to which addiction can be referenced as a disease is a spiritual disease defined as SIN. Drug addiction is linked to the Greek “phamakeia,” from which we derive the word pharmacy, and in Scripture is linked to sorcery. Drunkenness falls in the same category, as alcohol in reality a drug. No one has ever become an addict or drunkard unless they took they partook of the source responsible. Addiction and drunkenness may lead to diseases, but addiction is not a physical or mental disease -— but rather SIN, as defined by the truth.