Jodie Sweetin, known for her role as Stephanie Tanner in "Full House," has opened up about the significant financial difficulties she faced during her years-long struggle with addiction. The actress shared on the Nov. 4 episode of Natanya Ross's podcast, "We're Still Here, Babe," that her earnings from the popular sitcom were largely funneled into treatment before she achieved sobriety in 2011.
Sweetin, 44, described a period where she experienced profound humility, recounting moments like having to return items at a store because her debit card lacked sufficient funds. "You learn humility when you are at Target and you got to turn around and go put some s–t back ’cause you don’t have the money on your debit card," she said.
During her recovery, Sweetin took on a role as a director of operations to generate income. She expressed contentment with this phase, stating that working a "normal job" allowed her to re-engage with the entertainment industry with renewed appreciation after experiencing the opposite extreme.
Sweetin, a mother of two daughters, Zoie and Beatrix, from previous marriages, also detailed the financial strain of raising her children. She recalled living in a small apartment, earning approximately $2,200 per month, with her parents assisting with rent. Despite the financial challenges, she maintained a practical outlook, emphasizing the need to support her children over concerns about her public image.
Even after the premiere of "Fuller House" on Netflix in 2016, Sweetin's financial recovery was not immediate. She admitted to borrowing money during the first week of filming the reboot and starting her first paycheck with only $190 in her bank account, a situation unknown to her colleagues.
Reflecting on these experiences, Sweetin noted the importance of shedding ego when facing financial hardship. "I’ve been very fortunate to know a lot of really wonderful things, but I have had those experiences where there’s no money. And your ego can’t be involved," she stated.
Sweetin has previously discussed the origins of her struggles, noting that her issues with alcohol began at age 14 after consuming alcohol at a "Full House" co-star's wedding. She characterized that early experience as "awful, and it was ugly, and it was embarrassing," but also acknowledged a moment of realization about the effects of alcohol.