Mackenzie Phillips Reflects on Departure from ‘One Day at a Time’ and Her Journey to Recovery

Mackenzie Phillips recently revisited the events leading to her departure from the sitcom “One Day at a Time.” She spoke at Fanboy Expo Knoxville in Tennessee, candidly addressing how a “morals clause” in her contract impacted her exit from the series.

Phillips, who gained fame alongside co-stars Bonnie Franklin and Valerie Bertinelli, battled addiction during her time on the show. This struggle led to additional provisions in her contract, as she explained at the event. “We all had a morals contract, but mine was a little more specific,” she noted.

She recounted an incident where during a lunch break, co-executive producer Patricia Fass Palmer informed her they were taking her to the doctor for a urinalysis. Phillips recalled being asleep on a couch when Palmer approached her, leading to Phillips leaving the show shortly thereafter. “Grab your stuff and get it together,” Palmer reportedly told her.

Phillips initially starred in the series from 1975 to 1980 before her character was written off following her termination. Although she returned for a guest appearance, she left the show for good in 1983.

In recent interviews, Phillips has openly discussed her addiction battles. In May, she shared with Fox News Digital an anecdote about spending breaks with Bertinelli, drinking wine, and using cocaine at her home. She clarified that while Bertinelli participated, she did not struggle with addiction in the same way.

“I just happened to be the one that got caught. And thank God I got caught,” Phillips said, reflecting on how the experience brought her to her current state of resilience and faith. She emphasized that her past shaped who she is today and advised others not to feel pity for her journey.

Phillips has shared her experiences in her memoir “High on Arrival” and her follow-up book “Hopeful Healing.” With a focus on recovery, she has also worked as a counselor and manager in the addiction and recovery field at Breathe Life Healing Centers.

Resilience, as Phillips noted in her conversation with Fox News Digital, plays a significant role in how she views her life. “I have a high resilience,” she said, crediting her faith, her son, and her family with sustaining her through difficult times.