America’s Little Sister Behind the Scenes
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, Full House lit up living rooms across America. At the heart of the Tanner family was Stephanie Tanner, the lovable middle child known for her sass, charm, and that unforgettable line — “How rude!” Played by Jodie Sweetin, Stephanie became a fan favorite.
But when the cameras stopped rolling, Sweetin’s life began to unravel.
Behind the laughter and fame was a young actress fighting a hidden war — with addiction, self-destruction, and relationship chaos that would follow her into adulthood. This is the raw, real story of Jodie Sweetin’s darkest years, how she clawed her way back from the edge, and why her story still matters today.
From TV Star to Troubled Teen: Life After Full House
Jodie Sweetin was just five years old when she landed the role of Stephanie. For eight seasons, she played the role perfectly — a smiling, wise-cracking little sister in America’s ideal family.
But when Full House ended in 1995, so did her sense of identity.
With no roadmap for life outside of Hollywood stardom, she quickly fell into a downward spiral, one that she would later detail in her brutally honest memoir, UnSweetined.
First Taste of Freedom, First Taste of Alcohol
At age 14, Jodie took her first drink. What seemed like normal teenage rebellion quickly became something darker. By her late teens and early 20s, she was deep into alcohol abuse, using it to numb the emotional crash that followed childhood fame.
It wasn’t just drinking. Her substance use evolved — fast.
The Descent: Meth, Cocaine, Ecstasy — Nothing Was Off Limits
Jodie Sweetin didn’t just dabble — she dove in headfirst. She became addicted to methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy, among others. At one point, she was snorting meth daily and living a double life, attending speaking engagements about sobriety while secretly using.
Yes — she was pretending to be sober while high.
Her own words describe it best:
“I was pulling off the biggest deception of my life.”
A Marriage Fueled by Madness
In 2002, at age 20, Jodie married police officer Shaun Holguin. On paper, he seemed like the grounding force she needed. In reality, their relationship was a chaotic mess, marred by drug use and emotional instability.
Jodie admits she was actively using drugs during the marriage, and that she hid the worst of it from her husband — even lying to him when he asked if she was on meth.
Needless to say, the marriage didn’t last.
Motherhood Amid Mayhem
After her first divorce, Jodie entered a relationship with Cody Herpin, a film transportation coordinator. They married in 2007 and had a daughter, Zoie, in 2008.
But addiction doesn’t magically disappear with motherhood.
Jodie struggled to stay clean, even after becoming a mom. Her marriage to Herpin became a public mess, with both parties filing for divorce and engaging in nasty custody battles.
It was a painful tug-of-war that played out in court documents and headlines.
A Cycle of Love, Loss, and Legal Trouble
After Herpin, Jodie married Morty Coyle in 2012. They had a daughter, Beatrix, but the relationship unraveled quickly. By 2013, another divorce was in motion, and another custody dispute followed.
Three marriages. Two children. Endless legal documents.
All while trying to stay clean in a world where the odds weren’t in her favor.
The Turning Point: Rehab, Recovery, and Relapse
Jodie entered rehab multiple times, each time hoping it would stick. She was honest about her relapses and never pretended recovery was a straight line.
But eventually, the pieces started coming together. With the support of friends, family, and therapists, she began to truly address the pain underneath the addiction — the loss of identity, the trauma of early fame, the deep insecurities masked by drugs.
Her recovery wasn’t glamorous. It was messy, painful, and real. But it stuck.
‘UnSweetined’: A Memoir of Brutal Honesty
In 2009, Sweetin released her memoir UnSweetined, where she laid everything bare: the drug use, the lies, the near-death experiences, and the failed relationships.
Unlike many celeb memoirs, this one didn’t sugarcoat. It read like a cry for understanding — not pity — and it gave fans a whole new appreciation for the woman behind Stephanie Tanner.
It wasn’t just a book. It was a public exhale — the first step in reclaiming her narrative.
Back in the Spotlight: Fuller House and a Second Chance
In 2016, Jodie returned to TV with the Netflix reboot Fuller House. Fans rejoiced — not just because Stephanie was back, but because Jodie Sweetin had survived.
The show gave her a second chance to shine, and she embraced it. Clean, focused, and funny as ever, she turned her comeback into proof that recovery is possible — even after the messiest fall.
Advocacy and Sobriety Today
Today, Jodie Sweetin is over a decade sober and a fierce advocate for addiction recovery. She works with organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and mental health nonprofits, openly speaking about her journey to help others feel less alone.
She’s also candid about ongoing struggles — because, in her words:
“Sobriety isn’t a finish line. It’s a daily commitment.”
Her Love Life Now: Peace Over Perfection
After years of turbulence, Sweetin found love again with clinical social worker Mescal Wasilewski. The two married in 2022 in an intimate ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and of course, a few Full House co-stars.
This time, the foundation is different: mutual healing, respect, and real-life experience.
What Jodie Sweetin’s Story Teaches Us
Her journey is a powerful reminder that addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects child stars and everyday people alike. And while the road to recovery is long, it’s never too late to start walking it.
Jodie’s story is about surviving the fallout of early fame, choosing honesty over image, and fighting like hell to become the person you know you can be — no matter how many times you’ve fallen.
Conclusion: From How Rude to How Real
Jodie Sweetin has lived through more than most of us could imagine. Addiction nearly stole everything — her career, her family, her sense of self.
But today, she stands not just as a survivor, but as a symbol of resilience. She’s proof that recovery is real, that people can grow beyond their darkest chapters, and that sometimes the strongest among us are the ones who once felt the weakest.
She’s not just Stephanie Tanner anymore. She’s Jodie — raw, real, and still standing.
FAQs
1. What drugs was Jodie Sweetin addicted to?
Jodie struggled with alcohol, meth, cocaine, ecstasy, and other substances during her 20s.
2. Is Jodie Sweetin still sober?
Yes, as of today, she has been sober for over a decade and is an active recovery advocate.
3. How many times has she been married?
Jodie Sweetin has been married four times. Her current husband is Mescal Wasilewski.
4. Does she have children?
Yes, Jodie has two daughters from previous relationships.
5. Is Jodie still acting?
Yes, she continues to act and make public appearances. She was most recently seen in Fuller House and continues working in entertainment and advocacy.
