The provided text is a transcript from a TEDx Talk by Mandy Saligari, an addiction therapist and recovering addict, titled "Feelings: Handle them before they handle you." Saligari asserts that addiction is not about the substance or behavior but rather a pattern of outsourcing emotional processing, often stemming from low self-esteem and an inability to manage vulnerability. She explains how early childhood experiences, particularly those involving caretaking roles, can lead to adults who are running on empty due to conditional giving and a lack of self-respect. The speaker advocates for self-compassion, setting boundaries, and understanding one's own feelings as crucial steps to prevent addictive patterns and foster healthy relationships. She concludes by emphasizing that true recovery involves learning to take care of oneself and building a positive internal relationship, exemplified by practices like speaking kindly to oneself in the mirror.