Avoidance of reality (8)
I believe the answer is:
escapism
'avoidance of reality' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for escapism that I've seen before include "Avoiding reality by fantasising" , "Sim space (anag)" , "break from reality" , "Inclination to retreat from reality" , "Avoiding life's realities by indulging in fantasies" .)