Lyric discussion by Jessguessin 

Cover art for Essence lyrics by Lucinda Williams

Great song from a great songwriter.I do not believe that this song is about drugs,at least not the drugs that we all tend to think of first,the literal ones. This song is about the attraction one can have for another.She is comparing her longing for him to the longing that a junkie has for his heroin,or whatever drug of choice.

My Interpretation