If someone is looking for escapism for some issues that can be classed as a psychological dependence that requires therapy.
I still don't see it as an instinct, an inherant predisposition for some maybe based on genetics.

I said it's LIKE an instinct, because your subconscious is controlling your behavior. A smoker knows that smoking is bad, but his subconscious finds a way to make him smoke, in that way it's an instinct. You aren't consciously aware of why you are doing something, that's why i'm saying it's LIKE an instinct. It's subconscious, like an instinct.

I really can't believe you are so confused about this. I think you're just pulling my chain now.

No I'm not, I just don't agree.
With an addiction it's the level of whatever it is that you're craving that compels you, if gambling it could be adrenaline? So not really a unexplained subconscious act.
With instinct there is no stimuli to crave.