The Syracuse Common Council has welcomed back one of their members after a four-month leave of absence. 

Councilor Chad Ryan was away in Florida treating an addiction problem. 

Last week, he returned attending his first session at council.

Ryan would not say what the addiction involved, but he says it was important to temporarily step down and leave in order to get better.

He says he wants to be honest with his constituents and hopes to end the stigma of addiction. 

"Being a public servant, I felt like I owed my constituents the truth on what was going on and why I wasn't around for the summer. There's a large stigma that goes along with addiction. Not that I can fight that stigma, but if I can take a little piece out of it and maybe give somebody else the push to go seek treatment," Ryan (D) said.

While away, Ryan says he did not participate in any council votes. 

He says other councilmembers stepped in to represent his district.