A cult is easily described as a group of members who remain connected y common beliefs. With the growing number of cults that are led by individuals with ulterior motives, it can be difficult to differentiate a group that goes by the term of cult or a group that is in fact a destructive cult. Most destructive cults recruit people when they are at a susceptible point in their lives and in search of answers, making them easily influenced and vulnerable. All destructive cults, regardless of the category under which they fall, use psychological influences to control the behaviour and even thoughts and beliefs of the members.

Religious cults are based around religion and spirituality, with the members led astray by leaders who claim to be an incarnation of a higher, supreme being. Most of these supposed spiritual beings however, depict their true selves through their lavish lifestyles. Political cults can also be known as dictatorships where elections are not permissible, the press is controlled, and all decisions including that to punish or execute any person lies within one person or body. Terrorist groups also come under the category of political cults due to their actions being based around political agendas. After all, only destructive influence can lead a person to sacrifice himself by becoming a suicide bomber to kill thousands and advance any cause.

Another common destructive type of cult are those run by therapists. Unethical therapists can become the funders of cults where vulnerable patients are taken advantage of financially, emotionally, and even sexually. Group therapies can become the front for people to be forced to leave behind their regular lives and settle into a smaller community led by the therapist. A fourth kind of destructive cult are commercial cults, for example, a multi level marketing company. In such cults, members are forced to recruit others in order to obtain the wealth by which they are tempted. This carries on until every member is recruiting others in order to earn and to provide their recruiter with growing income.

With cults falling into many different categories, it can become difficult to recognize if a loved one has become part of a destructive cult. What needs to be remembered is that, regardless of the type of cult, certain behavioural patterns make it possible for people to identify if a dear one is under the influence of a destructive cult. These behavioural patterns common with all cults include:

• one person or a small group that has complete control over all decisions of the group and even shapes the beliefs and identities of each member
• a controlled social environment that leads to loss of members’ individual identities by limiting the information they receive from the outside and by forcing them to conform to the social convention that the leader establishes

When people begin to recognize that a loved one is under the influence of a destructive cult, they are often left fumbling to find a way to rescue their dear one. Often, they make an attempt to share their concerns with the person in question – you may know someone who has done so or even done it yourself. However, your efforts are not welcomed as the person you wish to rescue perceives you to be misunderstood and even a threat. This pushes them further into the cult where they feel accepted.

In such difficult times, there are certain actions that you can carry out, always keeping in mind that patience will greatly help your cause. These are the important aspects of the Strategic Interactive Approach which can help you help your loved one find their way back. These aspects include:

• You provide unconditional love while the cult focuses on love that is reciprocated only when its desires are met; unconditional love will always seep through one’s defences
• Educate yourself with as much knowledge about destructive cults and the way they work as you can; this can help you better understand the situation and the member’s mind set, and how to approach both
• Keep a goal in mind – to help your dear one come out of the cult’s influence – and work towards one small step at a time
• Keep yourself available and involve as many family members as you can, even reconnect with estranged relationships if required; each relationship brings its own dynamics that can be effective in its own manner