The depression causes me to hide from life. When I am not depressed I do not hide from life at all. I participate in it. When I am severely depressed I have 0 energy, 0 motivation, and everything is so overwhelming. Hiding from life is not the motive but the outcome of the disease. I would much prefer not to hide from life but that is what it causes.

As Hellion says addictions are a way to escape the pain of life or just to escape for a while the general stress of life. They are often used as a coping mechanism to deal with everyday life. This would mean the pain is just so powerful or the person has just not learned healthy coping mechanisms. I don't think the intention is to hide from life but to deal with life.