Ryan Lochte’s Girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, Gets Candid About His Past Drug Use: ‘He Carried so Much Shame’

Natasha DyeFri, June 5, 2026 at 5:50 PM UTC

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Ryan Lochte and Molly GillihanCredit: Molly Gillihan/Instagram -

Ryan Lochte and his girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, opened up about the "shame" he felt while abusing substances like cocaine during an appearance on Hang Out with Sean Hannity

Gillihan said the "only thing" that made Lochte feel good at the time was "getting high"

Lochte's girlfriend said she wants him to tell her if he ever uses drugs and that they'll "tackle" the issue together

Ryan Lochte's girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, shared new insight into the "shame" the Olympian felt when he was abusing drugs.

During an appearance on Hang Out with Sean Hannityon Thursday, June 4, Lochte, 41, and Gillihan opened up about their relationship and "the life he was living" before meeting his girlfriend.

"He just carried so much shame that the only thing that made him feel good, I guess, was getting high," Gillihan shared.

Ryan Lochte and Molly GillihanCredit: Molly Gillihan/Instagram

"And people say that all the time," she continued, telling Hannity she "can't relate" to substance abuse because she's "a very happy person," but that she has "been sad in my life and depressed."

"I just want to make sure he never gets to that point again, where he feels like he has to hide anything from me," Gillihan said. "So, if he ever gets to the point where he wants to go out with a buddy and there's cocaine there, and say he even does it, I want him to come home and tell me, and we tackle it together."

She added, "What scares me is him hiding it from me and thats what I've expressed."

When Hannity asked if Lochte hides anything, the swimmer — who just accepted an assistant coaching position with the Missouri State Bears — said, "I don't hide anything form her. She's my best friend. We have an open phone policy. We have nothing to hide."

Lochte said he "never had" an open phone policy in his previous relationship, and both Gillihan and Hannity agreed that it's an important part of trust.

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Gillihan shared the clip on her Instagram and wrote in the caption: "I wasn't prepared to join @seanhannity and @ryanlochte on this podcast but so glad they had me come up and talk about our love and a little of our story. 💕 very beautiful interview that I hope resonates with so many others that have ever suffered depression. You're not alone."

Lochte and Gillihan moved in with each other in January after the athlete and his wife, Kayla Reid, split in March 2025.

When Lochte announced his new gig at Missouri State last month, Gillihan, who is from Missouri, celebrated the news, writing, "Love you. I am beyond, beyond proud of you. This is what you were made to do!!! Congrats my lovie! 💕"

Molly Gillihan and Ryan Lochte via InstagramCredit: Ryan Lochte/Instagram

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In a video announcing his new role with the Bears, Lochte said he thinks he "might actually be more passionate about coaching than competing." "Don't get me wrong," Lochte said, "I had a pretty good swimming career, but honestly, I think I might even be a better swim coach."

The gold medalist, who auctioned off his Olympic hardware in December, added, "I'm beyond excited to work with the athletes at Missouri State alongside coach Dave Collins in helping these swimmers both in and out of the pool and creating unforgettable memories along the way. Let's go Bears! Let's get it."

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”