ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author focuses on problems that are based on people's avoidance of adversity and the troublesome emotions that they would experience if they did face the adversity. However, it becomes a problem if avoidance becomes the typical way the people deal with problems. It is important to remember that avoidance does not help the people to deal with adversity. There are several general signs that a person's problems are based on avoidance. In the author view, substance misuse is a form of avoidance since the person is avoiding dealing with the adversity without the tranquillising effects of the substance. It is important to distinguish between ‘intent’ and ‘consequence’ when discussing such use. It is important that the people commit themselves to dealing with their avoidance-based problem and this involves deciding to do so based on carrying out a cost–benefit analysis of two choices: facing what the people have been avoiding or continuing to avoid it.
