Mackenzie Phillips' best-selling memoir, "High On Arrival," ranked No. 3 on the New York Times Best Sellers and set the media ablaze by revealing her ultra-personal life. It opened doors and began a trend of lifting the stigma for others, including celebrities, to come forward with their secrets of substance use and incest. With a second book slated for release this year, film projects and an "American Graffiti" reunion coming up, her passion is grounded firmly in the goal of helping others on their road to recovery from addiction.

In a world of increasing use of drugs and substance abuse, Phillips is a crusader, placing her family and newfound second career as a drug and alcohol counselor at the Pasadena Recovery Center before her first career - acting. She's reset her priorities and isn't looking back. She doesn't have to. Focusing on counseling has scored high on the achievement list as well. In fact, because of Phillips' personal accomplishments in overcoming addiction and her memoir, she is being honored in Los Angeles on Feb. 16 with the Experience, Strength and Hope Award, which is "given in recognition of an individual's honest life's memoir including their journey through addiction to recovery, and their dedication and enthusiasm for carrying the message of hope to a society awash in addiction."

Being present in the here and now, Phillips chatted exclusively with Headlines & Global News about the recent loss of her "One Day At A Time" co-star Pat Harrington, reuniting with Valerie Bertinelli and her new book, careers, priorities and helping addicts one person at a time... and yes, one day at a time.

How do you feel about being honored with the Experience, Strength and Hope Award?

I think it's wonderful. I've been involved with the Experience, Strength and Hope Awards for years. I generally get up and do the "thank yous." I've been part of the program, the presentation of the program, for several years, and Leonard, the gentleman who put the whole thing together, is a friend of mine in the treatment industry. They've honored my friend Carrie White for her book "Upper Cut," and then last year it was Joe Pantoliano (Emmy winner for "The Sopranos," author of "Asylum") for his book. "High On Arrival" came out in September of 2009, and happy for all of us, it rated No. 3 on the New York Times list. My second book is coming out September of this year through the same publisher (Simon and Schuster), just under a different imprint of that publisher, Atria books.

What's the title?

That's still a work in progress. It's almost finished. We did the cover shoot a couple weeks ago, so that's coming up. That's exciting.

Does that pick up where the first one left off?

No, it's more of a recovery handbook with personal stories in it. It's not in the vein of "High On Arrival," it's more a practical handbook for people in recovery or people who love people who are still using. A recovery-based book.

I remember when "High On Arrival" first came out, there was such a frenzy in the press with all the controversy. Any regrets disclosing everything in your book, including your relationship with your dad (John Phillips from The Mamas and the Papas)?

No, not at all. I guess I was just a bit naive. I didn't expect the firestorm. It's been a bit of a recovery from that for the family and such, but no. You know, if I were to regret it, that means I wish it didn't happen. And I don't wish it didn't happen. The book. I'm glad that I wrote the book. It's a subject that people don't often want to even think about. It happens, and people need to talk about it.

At the time, how did you deal with the pressure a daily basis with the press and backlash from family members? That must have been overwhelming.

It was intense. You do the best you can, and you stay close to the people that understand, support and love you. And that's what I did.

Are you still experiencing any backlash from your family?

That's not something I'm generally going to discuss publicly. I've kind of learned my lesson.

How many years have you been sober now?

You know, I'm not a talker about time. I don't think that that is important. It's been a long time. I'm not a person who wears my time like a badge of honor. I would prefer to reflect my wellness than talk about how long I've been well.

I like that. Everyone's different how they "celebrate."

I know people who've been sober for multiple decades who are so dry that if you light a match next to them, they would burst into flames, and I know people who have been sober 90 days who are working an excellent program. I don't think that time is an indicator of wellness.

How long have you been a drug and alcohol counselor at the Pasadena Recovery Center?

Coming up on three years. I love it. I went back to school to become a counselor. I work full-time as a counselor at the Pasadena Recovery Center. I carry a caseload. I work with clients on a daily basis. It's great.

When working with your clients, is it too difficult at times to watch others struggle through the process?

It's heartbreaking work because of the rate of relapse, but at the same time, it's not too difficult. Otherwise, I guess I wouldn't do it. But it can be challenging. I have to really take care of myself so I can be present for someone else's journey.

In dealing with loss and the intense pain that comes from losing someone you love dearly like Pat Harrington and Bonnie Franklin from the series "One Day At a Time," do you do something on a daily basis to get through it?

I don't have like a personal prescription, you know what I mean? I have people that I'm very close with and a program of recovery that I'm active in. No, I don't have a routine I do to deal with loss. We all reach out and support each other with the loss of Pat Harrington. We all knew it was coming. You can prepare as much as you want, but the reality of the loss is kind of stunning. We band together and hold each other up.

What about meditation? Exercise? Energy work such as Reiki?

I certainly practice prayer and meditation. I have my beautiful son. He's going to be 29 next week.

Oh, my gosh.

I know, that's insane, right? We're very close. I have my beautiful dogs, beautiful home, my life, my job, my work. I focus on what's right in front of me. I try to stay really present in the moment that I'm in.

How many pets do you have now?

I have four dogs and four cats. They're all rescues. I have two pugs and two Chihuahuas.

I named my little black pug Franklin after Bonnie, in honor of Bonnie Franklin. They're little friends. They're little dog-shaped people. I'm looking at three of them laying on my bed right now because I don't work on Fridays, so Friday is my day to do my PR and marketing for the center as well as working there as a counselor. I'm still in my pajamas and I'm drinking coffee, hanging out with the dogs, chatting with friends on the phone.

What's up next?

We're making plans for the Sedona Film Festival next month. We're doing an "American Graffiti" reunion at the Sedona Film festival. Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, possibly Rick (Richard) Dreyfuss. We're going to screen the film and do a Q&A, so that's always a fun thing. Also, Glenn Scarpelli, who played Alex on "One Day At A Time," and I did a short film called "Sacred Journeys." The first, premier of it is at the Sedona Film Festival next month. I love Sedona (Arizona). I spend a lot of time there. We shot all of Sacred Journeys in Sedona.

Looking back at your child self, knowing what you know now, what advice would you give yourself?

(Laughing) Drugs are bad! What advice would I give myself? Drugs are bad. Don't take on as truth things that other people say. Find out what's real for you.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment so far?

My beautiful 29-year-old son, Shane.

Proud mama.

Oh, my God, he is such a lovely human being.

There's a quote of you saying, "I have lived a life of incredible abundance, and every door that has been opened to me by grace I have slammed shut right behind me." Has that changed? How?

I think it's just a conscious choice, a decision to continually re-direct myself to what is instead of some sort of thinking that I can...I guess...you know, I love that quote. That's something that was certainly true for a long time. And it just goes to show that change is possible. You can change what you think about. You can change your actions. It's a powerful realization when you understand that a lot of the things you might believe or behaviors one might be doing are learned and you can unlearn and re-learn.

That's a very empowering thing for people to hear from you. What influence did Dr. Drew Pinsky have on you?

I love him. I think he's wonderful. Not only a great advocate for recovery, but just a genuinely good human being. When I went on "Celebrity Rehab," I was already clean, but I wanted...well, also, let's not forget it's a job. They pay you. So there's that, but I also wanted to meet Dr. Drew. I wanted to bathe in that...to get some of that "light." I've always been interested in healing arts and in the way the mind works and why people do the things that they do. He was a real inspiration to me in so many ways.

What do you think of the Latin version of "One Day At A Time" starring Rita Moreno?

I am thrilled! I've known about it for a long time. I'm in communication with Norman (Lear) and the people around Norman. I'm just so happy it finally got a green light. I think it's a great idea.

Do you one standout favorite episode of "One Day At A Time?"

Yes. I don't know the title of it, but it's when the three women - me, Valerie and Bonnie get snowed in in a cabin. It's a really beautiful scene where we're all cuddled up on a foldout couch. There's no heat, we're all bundled up and we're just talking and it's just beautiful. It's my favorite.

Tell us about your recent projects.

"Sacred Journeys" is a story about two people who were close in an earlier chapter in their lives and rediscover each other through a bit of a tragedy. It's about perseverance and rebuilding from the ground up. It's a beautiful story. I'm really proud of it. Glenn Scarpelli, Stephen Wallem, who played Thor in "Nurse Jackie," wonderful actor. There's a wonderful, young actor who plays my son, Matthew Kosto. He did a beautiful job.

You did Valerie Bertenelli's show "Valerie's Home Cooking." Are you a good cook?

I'm a pretty good cook. I don't cook as much as I used to when Shane was little. I'm pretty much down to omelets now. I love cooking, I don't do it much anymore, I'm so busy. It was so much fun doing Valerie's cooking show. She brought her dog and I brought Franklin, the dog. We went for a hike up in the mountains, up here in the hills, and then we made some food and laughed and talked. It was really lovely.

How was it reuniting with Valerie on "Hot In Cleveland" as Kaylin?

That was really fun. We had such a good time. I played Valerie's high school bully. Came back and bullied her again, basically. It was great for Valerie and I to be back together. We're planning on going to Pat Harrington's memorial together. Valerie, Glenn and I are going to go together at the end of February at the DGA.

Tell us about your film "Girl on the Edge."

Jay Silverman who created the show "The Cleaner" wrote this film and directed it. Elizabeth Pena, Peter Coyote, Taylor Spreitler...I played the role of Taylor's mom, sort of abusive, abrasive...it's about recovery, overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, and this young girl is ultimately triumphant in it.

Sounds like a nice showpiece for you.

I'm not actively seeking acting work, but when it does come, if it's appropriate, I will do it. My boss at Pasadena Recovery Center is very supportive. So are my colleagues. The clinical team is very supportive, covering for me when I'm off doing things. That's an excellent position. I get to do something I'm extremely passionate about, which is working with addicts, and then when I have the opportunity to go back to my earlier career, I'm able to do that as well.

In an ideal world, what role and genre you'd like to do?

I've done Broadway, national Broadway tours, musicals, I did "Grease," I did "Annie," I've done stage plays that toured the country. My mom being elderly and kind of infirm, I need to be close by. For me, you know what I'd like? If I were to be involved in acting on a regular basis, I'd like to be like No. 8 or nine on the call sheet. I don't want to be No. 1 on the call sheet. That's 16-hour days. I want to be able to work with my clients. I'd like to be part of an ensemble cast, with some sort of conscious, positive, healing, helping-type storyline where I work two days, three days a month so that I could continue working with addicts and stay close to home. Something in Los Angeles. In an ideal perfect world that would be something I would be very interested participating in.

Otherwise, no. To have done all this work to get where I am to be able to work with others on a daily basis, I can't be like "well, oh, I'll be back in three weeks. I'm going to go to Vancouver, I'm on location." No. That doesn't attract me right now. What attracts me is staying close to home and doing a lot of different things. My main focus is working in treatment with the vulnerable people. I'm not going to do an interview or anything unless I can talk about recovery and talk about the work that I do. I've had enough publicity to last me a fricking lifetime! If it's an opportunity to break the stigma surrounding addiction and help with people be more aware of this as not a moral failing, but more a medical issue, then I'm down. I'll do it.