I’m a Completely Different Person

Kit Harington has opened up about his experience with sobriety, expressing that he now feels like an “entirely different person.”

The Game of Thrones actor, known for his role as Jon Snow in all eight seasons of the fantasy drama, attended rehab in 2019 to address his addiction, with alcohol being a significant factor.

In a conversation with GQ Hype, the father-of-two shared, “I was so lucky I got sober before having kids,” noting that at one point it felt “physically and emotionally impossible for me not to drink again.”

Revealing his struggles with self-hatred and low self-esteem during his addiction, the 37-year-old said, “I would stare in the mirror and call myself a c**t. I’d hate myself. I would literally despise myself and not be proud of anything I’d done. I couldn’t be proud.”

Harington, who received some criticism for remarks about feeling objectified after becoming a “sex symbol” on the award-winning show, acknowledged the mistakes made in its much-criticized final season. However, he emphasized that his pride in overcoming his addiction signified a complete transformation.

“The fact that I am proud of getting sober is in and of itself a mark of being an entirely different person. And now, every set I step onto, whatever work I do, I’m proud of, because I know I put everything into it,” he shared. “Whereas before, I had this huge monkey on my back that was just, like, weighing me down. So yeah, the whole nature of being proud of myself is a relatively new prospect for me.”

Although Harington is uncertain about the future, he added, “Look, I can’t tell what the future brings. I might have one massive, messy, chaotic relapse. And I hope that doesn’t happen. But I think I protect myself by talking about it.”

Explaining his openness about discussing addiction, he said he hopes it will assist others to hear from people in the public eye “who had the same problem, and who are living a really, really genuinely happy, content life, and can’t imagine going back to what I [would be] going back to.”

In a 2022 interview with The Guardian, he confirmed that he’s “well on [his] path to recovery” and recommended sobriety to those considering it: “All I can say to anyone thinking about it is it’s a wonderful way of living your life. It saved me, for sure.”

Harington has previously spoken publicly about his mental health, revealing that he sought therapy between seasons five and six of Game of Thrones.

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, you can confidentially call the national alcohol helpline Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 or visit the NHS website for information about the available programs.

If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can seek confidential help and support 24-7 from Frank, by calling 0300 123 6600, texting 82111, sending an email, or visiting their website.

In the US, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP.

Source: GQ Hype, The Guardian