Breathe it in and breathe it out
And pass it on, it's almost out
We're so creative, so much more
We're high above but on the floor

It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
If you don't have it you're on the other side

The deeper you stick it in your vein
The deeper the thoughts, there's no more pain
I'm in heaven, I'm a god
I'm everywhere, I feel so hot

It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
If you don't have it you're on the other side
I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie

It's over now, I'm cold, alone
I'm just a person on my own
Nothing means a thing to me
Oh, nothing means a thing to me

It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
If you don't have it you're on the other side
I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie

Free me, leave me
Watch me as I'm going down and
Free me, see me
Look at me, I'm falling and I'm falling

It is not a habit
It is cool, I feel alive, I feel
It is not a habit
It is cool, I feel alive

It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive
If you don't have it you're on the other side
I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie

I'm not an addict
I'm not an addict
I'm not an addict

Edit Lyrics

Lyrics submitted by Nelly

Not An Addict Lyrics as written by Sarah Bettens Gert Bettens

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Not An Addict song meanings

Add Your Thoughts

70 Comments

+4
My Interpretation
Although the prevailing sentiment on this board is that it's an anti-drug song, I believe it's the opposite. It's sung from the perspective of an addict who is simultaneously in denial about their addiction and reveling in how it makes them feel. These lines are repeated several times: It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive If you don't have it you're on the other side I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie The first of those lines is clearly intended as a counter-argument to someone telling the addict that they have a problem. "No man, you don't understand, it's not a habit at all. It's totally cool. It makes me feel alive!" The second line is along the same lines, essentially telling that same person that if they aren't experiencing it then they can't possibly understand. The third line, however, is the clincher. The addict, fresh off denying that they're an addict, admits that the denials are probably a lie. These lines are usually followed by a repetition of the "I'm not an addict" chorus, but by this point it's clear that the speaker is very much an addict, even if they don't want to call it that, and that they're actually reveling in it.

Although the prevailing sentiment on this board is that it's an anti-drug song, I believe it's the opposite. It's sung from the perspective of an addict who is simultaneously in denial about their addiction and reveling in how it makes them feel. These lines are repeated several times: It's not a habit, it's cool, I feel alive If you don't have it you're on the other side I'm not an addict, maybe that's a lie The first of those lines is clearly intended as a counter-argument to someone telling the addict that they have a problem. "No man, you don't understand, it's not a habit at all. It's totally cool. It makes me feel alive!" The second line is along the same lines, essentially telling that same person that if they aren't experiencing it then they can't possibly understand. The third line, however, is the clincher. The addict, fresh off denying that they're an addict, admits that the denials are probably a lie. These lines are usually followed by a repetition of the "I'm not an addict" chorus, but by this point it's clear that the speaker is very much an addict, even if they don't want to call it that, and that they're actually reveling in it.

Reason:

mainahon March 23, 2017 Link
- 2 Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@mainah

@mainah it is written from the perspective of an addict. But it is an anti drugs song, the explain this multiple times. YouTube: meaning an addict K's Choice and you will see Sarah/Sam explaining it

FanSamon January 17, 2023

@mainah in my opinion all the words in this song are intend, by the author, to describe the weakness, sickness and totally unwanted bad feeling, state of mind of a person who somehow uses/used drugs or similar stuff.
Except the words "maybe, that's a lie.."
Lines which, are really, I would say - perpetual Yin and yang in poetry and literature, including this particular author's. Ok, normally they suggest that "I m not so determined to leave all this (drug) addiction story, situation..". BUt in the same time it reminds me of some obvious characteristics of human nature, humans are not "perfect", and there is always an ethernal fight for life, and maybe it suggests that (similar) "even if now I am determined now, there might be another temptating thoughts next day, and nobody can say in advance what would happen.. " i mean the struggle is not over.
But also I find it a bit of humour even in this truly deep and serious issue, of not being so 100% sure in all the things in life.
Anyway it is "just" an song and lyrics, so it has metaphors.

P.s. in my opinion the lines with "it's not a habbit, it's cool I fell alive..." as a chorus text, combined with all the text, are mostly as an illusiory "cool, alive..." because in proximity of bad characteristics - "cold, alone..." I rather understand it like a way to lie to yourself.
And the struggle could take some time.

But I really like your approach to doubt about this song being 100% as an anti-drug addiction song. It may be, it may not be.
(THough I always thought, since first time I listened to it maaany years ago, it is to describe the bad states of mind and feelings when a person uses drugs)

vladimirz5on January 27, 2023
+3
General Comment
I am addicted to this song! This song to me means maybe the writer knew someone or was addicted herself and goes through the denial and the excuses. I'm not an addict myself, and I never have been, fortunately, but this song is so passionate and beautiful.

I am addicted to this song! This song to me means maybe the writer knew someone or was addicted herself and goes through the denial and the excuses. I'm not an addict myself, and I never have been, fortunately, but this song is so passionate and beautiful.

Reason:

CandyKane7on May 21, 2002 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@CandyKane7
+1
General Comment
this song was used as an anti drug drug messege to schools in america, so its definatly not a pro drugs song, but soooo beautiful!! sarahs voice is so textured but smooth, love it!!

this song was used as an anti drug drug messege to schools in america, so its definatly not a pro drugs song, but soooo beautiful!! sarahs voice is so textured but smooth, love it!!

Reason:

ladybugon March 21, 2002 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@ladybug
+1
General Comment
That song is -definitely- an anti-drugs song. "It's over now, I'm cold, alone. I'm just a person on my own. Nothing means a thing to me..." it's how the drugs take over the addicts' lives until the point that their life resolve around, and everything that isn't a drug or related to it ("If you don't have it you're on the other side") is being pushed away.

That song is -definitely- an anti-drugs song. "It's over now, I'm cold, alone. I'm just a person on my own. Nothing means a thing to me..." it's how the drugs take over the addicts' lives until the point that their life resolve around, and everything that isn't a drug or related to it ("If you don't have it you're on the other side") is being pushed away.

Reason:

winterfairyon July 12, 2002 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@winterfairy
+1
General Comment
i remember when i saw the video for this on mtv, once upon a time long long ago.... i love this song. it always makes me feel pity though, for whoever its about or whoever can relate to it. its like they love the feeling they get from it but hate it when its gone... they think they might have a problem (which they do) but dont want to admit it... i also love the singers voice in this song... she just sound so cool... hehe

i remember when i saw the video for this on mtv, once upon a time long long ago.... i love this song. it always makes me feel pity though, for whoever its about or whoever can relate to it. its like they love the feeling they get from it but hate it when its gone... they think they might have a problem (which they do) but dont want to admit it... i also love the singers voice in this song... she just sound so cool... hehe

Reason:

blinkbomberon August 05, 2002 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@blinkbomber
+1
General Comment
This song is definitely an anti-drugs song. It may be beautiful, but just like a post-high, it leaves you feeling all cold and alone.

This song is definitely an anti-drugs song. It may be beautiful, but just like a post-high, it leaves you feeling all cold and alone.

Reason:

darkmongooseon March 05, 2003 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@darkmongoose
+1
General Comment
It's an anti-drug song, if it's not then it's neither. The song is only about what she and other drug users go/went through when they went through withdrawal. No where in the song is she saying go do drugs or don't use drugs. Depends on how you receive it. But in my opinion she wrote it to say, "Hey, coming down off this waste of money sucks." To me it's an anti-drug song. Jamming a needle in my arm to relieve pain temporarly and later being cold and alone when you withdraw doesn't sound attractive to me.

It's an anti-drug song, if it's not then it's neither. The song is only about what she and other drug users go/went through when they went through withdrawal. No where in the song is she saying go do drugs or don't use drugs. Depends on how you receive it. But in my opinion she wrote it to say, "Hey, coming down off this waste of money sucks." To me it's an anti-drug song. Jamming a needle in my arm to relieve pain temporarly and later being cold and alone when you withdraw doesn't sound attractive to me.

Reason:

stealthrson March 30, 2003 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@stealthrs
+1
General Comment
What a great song I think it's funny that any time I've ever done drugs with people, there's this whole attitude of being better than the rest of the world, feeling more, being truer. She mentions this when she says "we're so creative, so much more" and talks about non users being on the other side. She's just kidding herself, though. She knows that no matter how high they are, they're on the floor. She's not doing shit with her life but getting high, she's imprisoned by herself and her own need. What a sad song. The lines with the layered voices "It's not a habit, it's cool, i feel alive" almost sound like the voices of those she uses, trying to keep her there with them. Or the voices in her head, trying to deny the truth.

What a great song I think it's funny that any time I've ever done drugs with people, there's this whole attitude of being better than the rest of the world, feeling more, being truer. She mentions this when she says "we're so creative, so much more" and talks about non users being on the other side. She's just kidding herself, though. She knows that no matter how high they are, they're on the floor. She's not doing shit with her life but getting high, she's imprisoned by herself and her own need. What a sad song. The lines with the layered voices "It's not a habit, it's cool, i feel alive" almost sound like the voices of those she uses, trying to keep her there with them. Or the voices in her head, trying to deny the truth.

Reason:

mango1560on April 28, 2003 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@mango1560
+1
General Comment
Its simply saying that drugs get you so high, and you feel so free, that you really get into an intense denial of being an addict. you say it's a habit, at most. that you could quit at any time. slowly you realize that you're lying to yourself because you only love drugs when you;re on them anymore, not when you're clean and sober as well.

Its simply saying that drugs get you so high, and you feel so free, that you really get into an intense denial of being an addict. you say it's a habit, at most. that you could quit at any time. slowly you realize that you're lying to yourself because you only love drugs when you;re on them anymore, not when you're clean and sober as well.

Reason:

WonderQuestionLearnon June 29, 2008 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@WonderQuestionLearn
+1
General Comment
my friends found this resonated with addictions beyond drugs.. bulimia for example. i didn't think of it that way until she said this to me.

my friends found this resonated with addictions beyond drugs.. bulimia for example. i didn't think of it that way until she said this to me.

Reason:

thophon June 22, 2009 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@thoph

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Not An Addict

K's Choice

70 Comments

Add your thoughts

Most popular lyric tags

More K's Choice Lyrics