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Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn (Hodor) explains how he kicked drugs with World of Warcraft

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Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn (Hodor) explains how he kicked drugs with World of Warcraft

As a gamer who’s been through the thick and thin of virtual battles, I can truly relate to Kristian Nairn’s heartfelt tale. His journey from the dark abyss of drug addiction to finding solace and healing in the vibrant world of World of Warcraft is nothing short of inspiring.

More recently, Kristian Nairn (known for his role as Hodor in Game of Thrones) published an autobiography titled “Beyond the Throne: Epic Journeys, Enduring Friendships, and Surprising Tales”. This book offers insights not only about Game of Thrones but also delves into his personal experiences, such as overcoming a drug addiction through playing World of Warcraft. You can explore it further by following this link.

Nairn initially developed a romantic attachment with someone who had a harmful habit, which he subsequently adopted. As a professional DJ, Nairn resorted to using amphetamines and cocaine during all-night performances, ecstasy at the club, and codeine to counteract other drugs. He also consumed large amounts of alcohol. In his book, he candidly admitted, “I’m using so much coke that when I raise my head from the pillow, usually after midday, it’s stuck like cardboard.

Recognizing that drug abuse was negatively impacting his life, he chose to undergo detoxification by spending time in a bungalow at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland and immersing himself in “World of Warcraft” from morning till night. While video games can also become addictive, as Nairn explained to Polygon, this form of gaming helped him overcome something far more harmful. “On a scale comparing addiction damage-results, on a completely different level [from drugs],” he said. “Though I know people have indeed lost friends and partners over ‘Warcraft.’ I’ve certainly distanced myself from the world with it. But at that time, I needed to withdraw a bit, and that’s how I used it. Now, I’m in a much healthier state — and I believe the game’s evolution enables one to play it while maintaining good health, as you can accomplish tasks more efficiently.

Nairn’s book delves into his preferences when it comes to characters in World of Warcraft: his predilection for non-human roles (as he questions why anyone would want to log in and resemble an accountant) and DPS classes, which he admits is a way to vent frustration (“I secretly yearn to lash out at the world”). He also discusses the benefits he derives from the game, ranging from dopamine surges to forming friendships with people worldwide.

As a dedicated gaming enthusiast, particularly when it comes to “World of Warcraft”, I find myself inseparable from this captivating virtual world, even during my tours. It’s more than just a pastime; it’s a lifeline that helps me maintain connections with friends while on the go. “My profession is fulfilling, no doubt about it, but there are moments of solitude. ‘Warcraft’ alleviates that sense of isolation because not only do I play the game, but my friends are right there, ready to chat. You hop onto Discord, and instantly, you’re back home.

He doesn’t openly reveal his identity as Hodor from “Game of Thrones” anymore, at least not publicly. As he put it: “I choose to keep my identity hidden, only sharing it with close friends.” Originally, on the American servers, he did disclose who he was. But it became overwhelming – a flood of messages and questions. While “Warcraft” is an escape for him, he’s always aimed to preserve that escape. So, he exercises caution in the game. And let me add, he’s not a famous actor like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.

For the sake of accuracy, Nairn mentions his preference for assuming roles other than humans (“Who would willingly portray an accountant?”), opting instead for attack-focused classes rather than support or healing ones (as he feels a desire to “take his frustrations out on the world”). His most cherished character is Sylvanas Windrunner, the undead leader, voiced by Patty Mattson who’s saved in his phone. Additionally, he is deeply captivated by the game’s lore. As a veteran of scriptwork, he acknowledges the challenges of retconning and weaving stories together, but finds some characters to be as compelling as those written by Tolkien. This might lead to complications down the line, but he admires their quality, finding it to be the aspect he cherishes most about the game.

Nairn consistently appears sincere in his passion for nerdy hobbies, and it’s something we admire. As of now, it seems he doesn’t have any upcoming roles, but you can still enjoy him as Hodor from ‘Game of Thrones’ or pirate Wee John Feeney from the unfortunately short-lived HBO dramedy ‘Our Flag Means Death’.

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2024-10-08 20:41

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