Most of us remember Kit Harington as the bold, righteous and mentally strong Game of Thrones protagonist Jon Snow. Little do we know about the struggles he was facing in real life, which he shared a few months ago. It is surprising to note that even with all the riches and fame, one cannot guarantee one’s happiness. Bliss is a state of mind, and mental health is a concept often overlooked. People rarely talk about it, and those who come forward to share should be seen as brave instead of being shamed for it.

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His wife and Game of Thrones co-star Rose Leslie (Ygritte) recently talked about how she coped with the stress when Harington was battling his addiction issues in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, “For Kit, being an addict, it’s very important for him to recognize himself as such. The AA community has provided such a loving space for him to feel heard, to make sure he’s not alone. But if it weren’t for rehab, he would be in a very different headspace right now.”

Leslie said she is doing well and that Harington is several years into his sobriety. She said she had attended Al-Anon, a support group for friends and relatives of people with alcoholism. “I’ve learnt a lot about addiction and it’s something Kit is forever going to be aware of, but it’s on him whether he chooses to drink again,” she said. “No amount of nannying is going to be able to stop him from doing what he decides to do… I don’t choose to put that pressure on myself. The responsibility of his behavior is on him. It’s not on me to guard him from it.”

Have you ever dealt with someone suffering from addiction problems? Tell us about your story in the comments below!