He wants to get out of the lifestyle that he is living in, with the girl he is in love with, so he needs to "straighten up" so he can "get out".
All his friends will continue with their lives the way that they are, as a result the end up just "drowning themselves".
He doesn't mind if his lover and his-self get off track once in a while.
So he will take his time to go home. I'm not really sure about that one. So help please.