[legitster]

I'm not sure what the smoking gun is here. Usefulness and dependence are mostly interchangeable. I'm "addicted" to computers, indoor plumbing, headphones, entertainment, etc.

The crime here seems to be that they used a wrong word - would it have been better if they used "snackable", "irresistible", "enthusiast", or "binge-worthy"?

[Certhas]

This makes no sense. How are dependence and usefulness interchangable? There is some overlap, sure. But are you seriously claiming that there is no meaningful distinction between using headphones and using slot machines?

[legitster]

Yes, there's obviously a difference between addiction and a substance use disorder. But part of a key definition of a substance use disorder is that it has to cause harm.

Something merely being addicting isn't enough for intervention. It's why nobody is bothered when coffee shops advertise the addictive nature of caffeine.