Mackenzie Phillips Says Surprise Drug Test Ended Her One Day at a Time Run

Mackenzie Phillips is reflecting on the incident that ended her run on the hit sitcom One Day at a Time.

Speaking during a panel at Fanboy Expo Knoxville on July 10, the 66-year-old actress revealed that her contract included a stricter morals clause because of her struggles with substance abuse. The agreement allowed producers to require a drug test if they suspected she was under the influence.

Phillips recalled that the pivotal moment came during a lunch break when co-executive producer Patricia Fass Palmer woke her from a nap and told her they were taking her for a urinalysis. Hoping to delay the test, Phillips asked if they could wait until the next day, but Palmer refused and instead told her to gather her belongings and leave. That marked the end of Phillips' time as Julie Romano on the series in 1980.

Looking back, Phillips said she was actively using drugs while filming, admitting she would sometimes leave the set to drink wine and use cocaine. Despite the painful experience, she now views being caught as a turning point in her life.

After overcoming addiction, Phillips built a career in behavioral health as a treatment counselor before returning to acting. She has said her recovery gave her a deeper appreciation for roles such as her addiction-related storyline in Orange Is the New Black, describing herself as grateful to be "on the other side" of her struggles.