Hey. Didn't get a chance until now to write something. Too busy with life.
Just kidding 

Thanks HHM.

I just wasn't to clarify that although my post sounded like it was laying things out for all (I guess because I used words like, "people” and “they”), it was really coming from very personal experience, which I saw at least somewhat related to Mark's experience. It wasn’t intended to claim that I know the extent that this experience should relate to others. But I did say "often" because this is what I heard from people who I believe have the license to say so. However, I don’t know where you stand on this, as on one hand you said that “there is an ultimate goal for one to identify the source of acting out”, but on the other hand that “many do not see the need for it”. Did you mean that it is an ultimate goal for all? It would be nice if you can clarify that for me.
(I will add that my point might have been a little broader than the nicely laid out formula that you presented).

Again, I can't say what's good for others. I'm still at the stage of what is good for myself. But I must say that my gut feeling is that no form of escape is healthy for anyone. Perhaps I am understanding the concept of ‘escape’ differently then you. What I mean by escape is the inability to accept life. Substitutes for inappropriate behavior aren’t pointless. Distractions from ‘the daily grind’ may be healthy. But my personal opinion is that they should always fall under the rubric, the umbrella of life; not running away from it.

While I’m at it, I’ll add that I heard that a siman for if a behavior is ‘escaping’ is if it is done compulsively. K. I’m maskim that this isn't so simple. People can buy a bag of chips compulsively, and if they don’t see any reason to watch their sodium or fat intake, then it probably won’t be too detrimental to their lives (at least for the time being that is). But I don’t think that any activity done on impulse should be blessed. Compulsion can be very dangerous. Especially if it is to shove deep-seated whatever under the rug.

Hope I am not coming across as some shmo bursting in on things, presenting sweeping statements about life and how everyone should do things. I am a shmo. But let's just leave it at that. 
All the best