These intense symptoms drive the person to some sort of escape response. When escape is initiated, it is negatively reinforced by virtue of a rapid reduction of anxiety symptoms. Therefore, whenever anxiety symptoms reoccur, so does the urge to engage in escape which has proven effective in the past. The behaviors people use to escape anxiety often cripple their lifestyles. Some people become caged by the cycle of anxiety and avoidant behavior.
Anxiety is a very common precipitant of addictive habits.
Some habits in particular are well suited to anxiety problems, as they have measurable effects on one or many of anxiety's symptoms. Many habits are mentally consuming, and therefor reduce anxiety. Alcohol has a direct effect on self-focused attention. Anxiety is not, in and of itself, maladaptive. In fact, it is not hard to see how animals who are able to experience anxiety and the associated physiological and cognitive features have an advantage.