Former television game show host Andrew O'Keefe is "lucky to be alive" after he was arrested for the alleged possession of crystal methamphetamine and breaching his bail, a court has heard.

O'Keefe was convicted on a string of assault charges and possessing a prohibited drug in January this year, although his drug conviction was later quashed.

The 52-year-old, known for presenting Deal or No Deal, was arrested in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Monday.

Police said his arrest followed an investigation into an "incident" at a Vaucluse home on Saturday, when O'Keefe was taken to hospital following a suspected drug overdose.

Court documents show police allegedly later found crystal meth in his vehicle.

O'Keefe did not appear in Waverley Court in person on Tuesday morning, instead he was represented by his lawyer Evan James, who did not apply for bail on his client's behalf.

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge said that if O'Keefe "wants to stay alive", then staying in prison would be the "best thing to do" for him.

Mr James indicated his client may make an application for bail at his next appearance on October 10, if a bed could be found for him at a rehabilitation facility.

The magistrate told the court O'Keefe was a "frequent flyer" in the dock and that rehabilitation had been "tried and tested and failed".

"He's been there. He's tried that. It's absolutely tragic, very very sad," Magistrate Milledge said.

"God help him ... it's a shame he doesn't have an epiphany."