Escapism (noun)

1. The tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.
2. The act or practice of escaping from reality, especially as a coping mechanism for dealing with unpleasant conditions or situations.

Origin:

From the verb "escape" which comes from the old french word escaper, which means "to slip out of, to avoid" and the suffix -ism which is used to form nouns indicating a practice or condition.

Examples:

1. He used alcohol as a form of escapism.
2. She used to read novels as a form of escapism.
3. Watching movies was his form of escapism.
4. Playing video games is a common form of escapism for many people.
5. He used escapism to avoid dealing with his problems.