Totally agree, Flaw. All the research points to MJ being "habit forming" but not addictive per se. It's a comfort thing and once you get used to it's comfort, you're not inclined to be without it..BUT it certainly isn't going to have you going through DT's, puking or freaking out because you don't have it.
As you stated, people can get "addicted" to anything but I am firmly of the belief that outside of narcotics/meth/alcohol/nicotine, most of the other addictions are an escape from something. Until you deal with that something, it's going to be hard to quit.
I was likely escaping from a lack of certainty over what direction I needed to go. Now I'm pretty certain of what I want out of life and MJ really is so far in the background that I could do without it for life.
Will I dabble here and there? Oh probably.
There is some disagreement in the treatment community over the "quit for life" or "simply manage yourself better" philosophies...as in some alcoholics can clean up their act and years later, be able to enjoy a drink in moderation every so often without losing control. I know quite a few former alcoholics who currently do this.