The troubled TV star allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine after being pulled over for random testing about 11.30am on July 28 at Bellevue Hill in eastern Sydney.
The 53-year-old was absent from Waverley Local Court on Monday as his lawyer Jahan Kalantar requested the matter be adjourned until a later date to allow him to talk with his client.
Mr Kalantar handed a note to Magistrate Stephen Barlow with an explanation for O'Keefe's absence and prosecutors did not oppose the adjournment.
Andrew O'Keefe's lawyer handed a note to a magistrate to explain his absence. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
The same court was told in October that O'Keefe would make a genuine attempt to turn his life around if given the opportunity to enter drug rehabilitation rather than face jail time.
He pleaded guilty on that occasion to drug possession, trespassing and breaching a court order, with prosecutors agreeing to withdraw an additional charge of intimidation.
At the time, Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge told O'Keefe if he continued to offend the court may come to the view he was unable to be rehabilitated.
"Your life has just completely gone off the rails," she told O'Keefe.
"The only person that's going to make your life any different is going to be you."
Mr Kalantar previously told the court O'Keefe was at a crossroads and risked becoming institutionalised if he continued down the wrong path.
"The option, we say, is a real chance for this man to get his life in order," he said.
The former lawyer was on bail in September when he experienced a near-fatal heroin overdose.
He was subsequently arrested and his grey Mercedes was searched, resulting in the discovery of a "clear crystal substance", when he reported to Rose Bay police station.
O'Keefe was a Seven presenter for more than 15 years, most notably hosting game show Deal or No Deal and breakfast program Weekend Sunrise.
He was convicted of domestic violence offences in January and had an appeal on those charges dismissed earlier in September.
The drug-driving matter is due to return to court on February 7.
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