It seems to me like certain people actually benefit from joining the religion. Primarily I'm thinking of ones with drug problems who are only able to quit because they are working towards baptism. Another example would be those who are always getting in fights or who have a big ego, and who learn to be pacifistic and humble as a Witness. Some people had a poor upbringing and have had to learn lessons later in life from the religion that were instilled in most of us by our parents, such as speaking and dressing well, and being considerate of others.
I know many will say, "It's still wrong to join a false religion, and there's lots of harm done by it too", but I'm not convinced that the religion is bad for everybody. It seems to work well enough for many JWs. The ones who end up here are usually the ones who it didn't work out for; the ones for whom the religion was not healthy and did not make them better people. You won't hear the success stories here because those people wouldn't come here.
You might say that the alternative is to go to rehab or read a self-help book. I would say in response that nothing is as comprehensive of an approach as joining a society where you're being monitored at all times. You have to "check into" the program twice a week or they will follow up to see why you're not there. You have constant homework assignments to refresh your mind on the principles you've been taught. You're given regular counsel on how to dress, groom, and speak.
For some of us, that sounds like an Orwellian nightmare, one that many of you gratefully left behind years ago. But for some people, might this actually not be an improvement in their circumstances? Can you blame them for wanting the structure, the 'institutional lifestyle'? And do you have any suggestions of equal effectiveness for someone with this kind of need? If not, are they perhaps better off as Witnesses and not knowing TTATT?