A Shocking Revelation: On-Set Drug Use and the Hidden Realities of “One Day at a Time”
The beloved sitcom “One Day at a Time” presented a picture of wholesome family life, with Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli portraying sisters on screen. However, behind the scenes, the reality was far removed from the innocent on-screen dynamic. In a candid new interview, Phillips has lifted the lid on a period of shared drug use between herself and Bertinelli during their time on the show.
Phillips, now 66, revealed that their lunchtime breaks weren’t always spent relaxing by the pool or reviewing scripts. Instead, she admitted, “During lunch break, Valerie and I would drive to my house, get in the pool, drink wine, and snort coke.”
While this revelation might come as a surprise to many fans, Phillips clarified that Bertinelli has herself spoken openly about her past, meaning this confession isn’t a betrayal of privacy. Phillips went on to distinguish her own experience from Bertinelli’s, noting, “Valerie didn’t have the kind of addiction that I had, she didn’t have addiction.” This statement directly addresses Phillips’ own well-documented struggles with substance abuse, which ultimately led to her temporary departure and eventual removal from “One Day at a Time.”
Mackenzie Phillips: Grateful for Being Caught
The revelations extend beyond just off-set activities. Phillips also confessed that drug use occurred even while filming. “We would do coke together in the dressing room and stuff,” she stated. She expressed a sense of gratitude for being the one who was caught, adding, “I just happened to be the one that got caught. And thank God I got caught, you know?” This perspective highlights the turning point that being discovered represented for her, ultimately leading to a path towards recovery.
Valerie Bertinelli’s Openness About Past Struggles
As Phillips pointed out, Valerie Bertinelli, now 66, has not shied away from discussing her past involvement with drugs. In a previous interview on the “Literally With Rob Lowe” podcast, Bertinelli, a prominent figure on Food Network, shared her experiences. “I am a prude now but I [partook] as well for a few years there until I just couldn’t take it anymore. Cocaine was everywhere and easy to get,” she recalled.
Rob Lowe, 61, an alum of “Parks and Recreation” and now sober himself, also reflected on his own history of partying and the perception of drug use within the industry at the time. He shared his regrets, explaining, “It was before the bill had become due and we just didn’t know. Not only that … people were saying it was good for you. It helped you think, it was what ‘successful’ people did in our industry. All the people you admired did it.”
The Lingering Toll: Addiction’s Impact on Relationships
Bertinelli has spoken poignantly about the psychological effects of her past drug use. She described how the simple sounds of nature became a source of anxiety. “I got tired after a while of hating the birds chirping. When I would hear birds chirping, I would just get so tense. It took me years before I enjoyed a sunrise and enjoyed the birds chirping,” she recounted. “It’s like, ‘I was going to stop three bumps ago and I didn’t and here I am and the birds are chirping, Goddammit! Why did I do this!’”
While Bertinelli managed to overcome her drug habits, the same could not be said for her ex-husband, rock legend Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen, who sadly passed away from throat cancer in 2020 at the age of 65, battled addiction throughout his life, and it ultimately contributed to the breakdown of their marriage.
Bertinelli offered a profound insight into the coping mechanisms employed by those struggling with addiction. “We all have a toolbox that we go to when we need to suppress any kind of emotion that we don’t want to feel, any kind of pain that we don’t want to feel,” she explained. “I know that Ed’s toolbox was full of drugs and alcohol.” Her words highlight the destructive cycle that addiction can create, impacting not only the individual but also their loved ones and relationships.
