I think it is fairly obvious if we stop and think about it, but incredibly hard for us to recognize in the moment. What I've found is that lately, with lots of crazy unhappiness type stuff going on, I want to play poker all the time and even though I may be in a good game or whatever, I'm still not at my best because ultimately I am just running away from the here and now.

How do you identify poker as an escape (if you do) and what do you do to change it?

Play recreationally, so yeah, it's a form of escape for me. It's a microcosm of life.

Profitable one, but still an escape.

Anything can be an escape in life. Food, fitness, tv. Poker is no different. If you have unresolved issues in other areas of your life, there are many ways to hide from them.

I've found that those sorts of life problems tend to seep into poker when I'm on "life tilt". It's best to deal with those things as they come up, or they just get worse.

I think poker is a very healthy escape as long as it is kept healthy. If it is just a form of gambling for you then it is no different than self medicating with any other vice eg. drinking, drugs etc.

Having an escape from normalcy where you interact with others outside of your normal world and challenging yourself to make good decisions and improve can't be a bad thing.

If poker is affecting your personal life and peace of mind it is time to take a step back I think. Anything in which you become obsessed over you often lose clarity in making decisions, especially at a poker table in which you want to perform at a high cognitive level. Ignoring these mind problems can prove very costly.

You have identified the issue, the fix is either easy or difficult depending on how how you approach it.

If I may be direct, it reads as if you are running away from your problems through poker rather than facing up to them and attempting to resolve them? That's my take on what you wrote, so I may be wrong.

If so, what do you want to do with your life? We can't have it all, and problems do not go away.You can deal with your problems as difficult as that may be, or you rather keep running away and they will keep chasing you down.

At one point in my life, I woke up divorced, broke, and clueless. This was a big decision point for me. I could run away, ignoring life with alcohol, drugs, etc, or I could see what was possible and make the best of a bad situation. It wasn't fun, nor was it easy, but I faced up to my problems and worked my way through them. That is my recommendation to you.

Fwiw, I have found life's problem's when ignored, tend to grow more problems. Same as the addict who won't change until there is no place lower to fall, eventually we have to manage our life, like it or not. Good luck.

For many of us, topics like addiction and substance abuse seem far removed, like they affect other people and don't (or will never) concern us. The same way depression, anxiety, or other issues can seem remote to those who don't experience them. But the truth is, addiction is an insidious disease that can creep up on you or very possibly already be hurting someone you know or love, maybe even without you having a clue.

Playing as escape is one of the most common motives for playing, imo. The casino (or cardroom) is itself a massive diversionary megaplex of seduction to the masses. So many casual visitors to casino mention the "world goes away" effect they have. Well, for people whose routine involves casinos it's easy to see the compounded effect of that. Win or lose, gambler or professional ... this factor can be in play. One can be a workaholic in any field. Likewise, an obsessive workaholic in a casino is quite an escape from EVERYTHING ELSE.

being aware of what might cause you to behave the way you do and facing it is a first step in overcoming any problem imo.maybe you are so drained and having hard time to play your best because of accumulated emotions.when you surpress them, they build up and cause a lot more problems than you already have+tilt starts way too faster than usual.all this is written in mental game of poker books 1 and 2 (by Jared Tendler), maybe check them if you haven't already. + find a support system.poker friends, therapist, family.someone who is there for you and helps you to stop, look at things the way they really are.not always we on our own can notice what's going on, that's why support system is such a crucial thing to have.for me journaling helps a lot.easier to see the big picture, track your progress, emotions and what's going trough your mind.stay strong and gl!