"Celebrity Rehab" alum Mackenzie Phillips is in the process of becoming a certified drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor ... TMZ has learned. 



Sources connected to the actress tell us ... Phillips -- who famously struggled with substance abuse for years --- is roughly half-way through a certification program and hopes to use her experience to help struggling addicts acknowledge and defeat their demons. 

We're told Mackenzie's progress will be captured for a new reality show called "No Relapse" produced by powerhouse reality company 44 Blue ... and sources connected to the project tell us the show is already getting, "Strong interest from multiple networks."
 

It's one of the most remarkable turnarounds ever -- Mackenzie Phillips just had the slate wiped clean in her drug case -- and in court just moments ago, she thanked the police for putting her behind bars in the first place.


Phillips -- who was ordered to complete a drug diversion program back in 2008 -- had all charges against her dismissed.

She calls her recovery "the most rewarding time in my life ... It really just changed my life."

On her way out of court, Mackenzie had a few words of wisdom for Lindsay Lohan: "I hope she finds the strength within herself to get some help ... I had to go until I had to walk out with handcuffs on and I don't want to see that happen to her."


Mackenzie looks and sounds amazing.  Congrats!

"Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" -- the show that exploits celebrities who are battling addiction -- is now exploiting a celebrity who has already battled addiction.

We've learned Mackenzie Phillips -- who entered rehab for the 10th time in September 2008 -- will appear on the third season of the show as a "sober coach." Phillips was busted for cocaine in August 2008, but had the majority of the charges against her dropped -- and the final charge will be dropped when she completes a drug diversion program. By all indications, Mackenzie has done a complete 180 and says the arrest saved her life.

The role of "sober coach" on the show was previously played by Gary Busey -- and we know how that turned out.

And we know the other new cast of characters. Let's just say Mackenzie has her work cut out for her.

An L.A. judge has just made Mackenzie Phillips' day.

Mackenzie was ordered into a drug diversion program after pleading guilty to a felony drug charge, specifically cocaine. You'll recall Phillips was busted at LAX last August after baggies and balloons of coke and heroin fell down her pant leg at security.

Phillips was in court with her miracle lawyer, Blair Berk. The guilty plea will be dismissed when Mackenzie completes the diversion program. Once that happens the whole incident will be wiped from her record. Phillips addressed the court, saying, "I want to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and the Airport Police for stopping me -- they saved my life."

At one point during the proceedings, the D.A. turned to Mackenzie and asked her if she had appeared on "Diff'rent Strokes," she humbly told him it was actually "One Day at a Time."

The other charges against Phillips were dismissed.

After the bust, Phillips checked herself into rehab -- her 10th stint. This time there's a lot of hope. She looked great today in court. Here's wishin' ...

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Bijou Phillips, Mackenzie Phillips' half-Scientolosister, showed up to the jail in Van Nuys this afternoon to post her sister's $10,000 bail. As we first reported, Bijou tried to do that yesterday but Mac was having none of it -- telling Bijou she preferred staying behind bars.

Guess a night in the pokey changed her mind.

David Hasselhoff's attracting a whole lotta little chickies, Mackenzie Phillips busted for the yellow stuff, Seth Rogan left a little yellow behind at LAX, and David Spade was just yellow-bellied.

In the '70s, Mackenzie Phillips became famous for playing Julie Cooper on the TV series "One Day at a Time." Guess what she looks like now!