Role of Escapism in Behavioural Addiction and Substance Addiction: A Systematic Research Review

Abstract

The term escapism gained popularity in the early 20th century. It refers to the tendency of distracting oneself from facing the realities of life. It helps a person avoid unpleasant feelings or situations by engaging in other activities that may harm them both physically and mentally. In many instances Escapism can be an acceptable way of dealing with life situations but excessive escapism can be a problem, especially when escapism includes substance abuse. Behavioural Addiction and Substance Addiction are two very common problems in today’s society, as it affects individuals, families and communities to a great extent. These has led to the rise of several health issues along with various social and economic conflicts. In order to overcome these problems, it is very crucial to understand the motivation behind their occurrence. This study is concerned with examining the role of escapism in substance and behavioural addiction, emphasizing how people prefer addiction as a way of coping with life’s difficulties.