I think this song is about much more than alcohol or drug addiction. If it were about drinking, it would get progressively happier, or at least have a hopeful line (the same goes for drug addiction). I'll break down the song to explain further.
I reach out when I have a confession.
This line says that the narrator has been hiding their true self in some way, similar to how those who suffer from depression hide behind a smile.
I reach out in desperation.
Those with suicidal thoughts often feel a desperation to escape.
I reach out, but no one is listening.
He doesn't feel heard even when he clearly asks for help.
So I go looking for the next best thing.
If he can't feel happy, he goes after an escape from his life.
The chorus speaks of someone turning to drugs/alcohol, but my personal feelings is that it's about someone turning to pills to make them happy.
I feel them judging on me for their own pleasure.
The narrator has become a drug addict and others look down on him for it.
If they really knew, they’d know better.
He says if they really knew about his pain and listened to him, they wouldn't judge him for what he's chosen.
That I’m the one who caves under pressure.
Their judgment makes him further upset.
When desperate times call for desperate measures.
He begins to feel more hopeless because of his drug addiction, but continues to do them.
I know there's got to be some peace in me, but I can't find it. I get so sick of looking.
He gives up and overdoses on drugs. The pills which cause his death allow him to escape from his life allowing "happiness".
I think this song is about much more than alcohol or drug addiction. If it were about drinking, it would get progressively happier, or at least have a hopeful line (the same goes for drug addiction). I'll break down the song to explain further. I reach out when I have a confession. This line says that the narrator has been hiding their true self in some way, similar to how those who suffer from depression hide behind a smile. I reach out in desperation. Those with suicidal thoughts often feel a desperation to escape. I reach out, but no one is listening. He doesn't feel heard even when he clearly asks for help. So I go looking for the next best thing. If he can't feel happy, he goes after an escape from his life. The chorus speaks of someone turning to drugs/alcohol, but my personal feelings is that it's about someone turning to pills to make them happy. I feel them judging on me for their own pleasure. The narrator has become a drug addict and others look down on him for it. If they really knew, they’d know better. He says if they really knew about his pain and listened to him, they wouldn't judge him for what he's chosen. That I’m the one who caves under pressure. Their judgment makes him further upset. When desperate times call for desperate measures. He begins to feel more hopeless because of his drug addiction, but continues to do them. I know there's got to be some peace in me, but I can't find it. I get so sick of looking. He gives up and overdoses on drugs. The pills which cause his death allow him to escape from his life allowing "happiness".