Why do people empathize with Self Harmers but not drug addicts?

I mean alcoholics here too. I notice people are empathetic to people with depression that cut themselves. I used to be that person and i know why i cut now. It got me high for a second and made all the pain of my life and misery go away. Drug addicts use drugs for the same reason. They are both using something harmful to take away a horrible unbearable feeling. They both lack control of themselves and their behavior. I used to feel so terrible when i was a teenager, i'd rather die than go through that again. I understand how bad someone can feel and how they can resort to drugs or self harm to escape those feelings. Even if it doesn't help in the end.