Jodie Sweetin, the actress best known for her role as Stephanie Tanner on the 1990s sitcom ‘Full House,’ has revealed that her alcohol addiction began at age 14 during her co-star Candace Cameron Bure’s wedding in 1996. In a recent episode of the ‘Skinny Confidential’ podcast, Sweetin shared that her first experience with drinking led to a blackout episode, marking the start of a long battle with substance abuse that she has since overcome through years of recovery and sobriety.
At the wedding reception, Sweetin recalled dancing to ‘YMCA’ but having no memory of events after that point, describing the incident as ‘awful and ugly and embarrassing.’ She explained that a waiter kept pouring her red wine throughout the evening while her mother was seated on the other side of the room, unaware of her consumption. The combination of excessive drinking and a white bathroom resulted in a messy scene that left her feeling horrified and ashamed the next morning.
Despite the initial embarrassment, Sweetin said something ‘clicked’ for her after that night. She remembered thinking, ‘Ooooh, that was fun. You didn’t give a s–t about anything,’ realizing that alcohol provided an escape from her feelings and anxieties. This mindset quickly escalated, and by age 15 or 16, she recognized that she partied more intensely than her friends, who would often tell her to ‘settle down.’ In response, she sought out new social circles that could match her drinking and drug habits.
Sweetin attributes her substance abuse in part to underlying mental health challenges, including ADHD, which led her to use drugs and alcohol in an attempt to make her ‘brain work better.’ She emphasized that her addiction was not solely a result of her childhood fame, stating that she would have struggled with these issues regardless of her television career. However, she acknowledged that fame made her mistakes more public and, in some ways, provided access to treatment resources she might not have had otherwise.
The actress entered treatment for addiction in her 20s and experienced multiple relapses over the years, including a setback after a car accident. She has been open about the difficulties of navigating recovery while in the spotlight, noting that it’s ‘very hard when you have to make all your mistakes publicly.’ Despite these challenges, Sweetin found motivation to stay sober after becoming a mother, which she credits with helping her maintain her commitment to recovery.
Today, Sweetin is 16 years sober from alcohol and 13 years sober from pills, milestones she achieved after having her two daughters, Zoie and Beatrix. She shares custody with her ex-husband Cody Herpin and reflects on her journey as a testament to the possibility of overcoming addiction, even after early exposure and public struggles. Her story highlights the importance of support systems and personal resilience in the recovery process.
Sweetin’s candid discussion on the podcast not only sheds light on her personal experiences but also contributes to broader conversations about addiction, mental health, and the pressures faced by child stars. By sharing her story, she aims to inspire others facing similar challenges and reduce the stigma surrounding substance abuse and recovery.
