This list is straight out of http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm
While not everything applies, I think the similarities to "SJW" extremist and transgender behavior are obvious and alarming. In the case of transgender, taking hormones surely counts as a mind-altering practise.
The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader or belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
* Mind-altering practices are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
* The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members
* The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
* The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
* The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt iin order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
* Subservience requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.
* The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
* Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
* Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.
* The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.