Addiction is highly correlated with depression and is a symptom of loosing connection with something important in one's life. It is a from of escape form this life because missing that connection is too painful. https://thelostconnections.com/ Here are some of the connections we need so that we are not tempted by surrogates: - connection with others, our tribe, people we can confess with when needed, who we can 'share ourselves' with - connection with meaningful work - a healthy value system that is not overly materialistic - being driven by inner purposes rather than outer ones - connection with our own subconscious fears and desires - having hope in the future - etc