From a theological point of view I find this to be a metaphor of our own lives. When we turn to something less than God for our ultimate trust we have actually committed idolatry. It is also a rather important definition of what it means to become addicted. Let me formulate an example. When someone begins to rely upon, money, that individual has placed money in the rightful position of God.
Money becomes the meaning for life.
Money becomes the means of salvation for life. One relates to people according to money. We can all identify how it would be understandable that someone would rely upon money rather than a mystery such as God. We can all see how one can become the substitute for the other. People can become addicted to money.