Make life bearable
Generally speaking, life sucks. Life is boring, stupid, unfair, and lonely. Full of fear and conditioning.
You can make life bearable in a healthy (learning, creating, caring) as well as in an unhealthy way (addiction).
Learning and creating are constructive distractions. Caring gives context to your own suffering. Most of the time you see that you are better off than the people you care for.
The goal of addiction is to numb you down. Trying to escape from the uncomfortable reality. In this unhealthy way, you give away your control and your power.
Choose wisely. Don't be a machine.