Dublin Man 21 Months Sober After Life-Saving Treatment

When a friend found Leon Wodzinski unconscious on his apartment floor in 2024, he was minutes from death. The Smithfield resident had been secretly battling addiction to crystal methamphetamine and GHB while working at five-star Dublin hotels, appearing fine on the outside while his life crumbled in private.

Leon, originally from Poland, moved to Ireland at age eight after experiencing childhood abuse. As an adult, his drug use escalated from morphine to more dangerous substances. Despite his worsening addiction, he maintained his job in Dublin's hospitality industry, hiding his struggle from colleagues and friends.

The seizure came after weeks of drug-related psychosis that had already landed him in a psychiatric unit. Waking up on that apartment floor became his turning point. He entered the Rutland Centre in Knocklyon, so doubtful about recovery that he didn't even unpack his bag.

"When I first walked into the Rutland Centre, I wasn't thinking about a medallion or what my life could look like in recovery," Leon told nearly 100 people at the center's annual Medallion Ceremony last Sunday at the National Concert Hall. "I was just trying to survive."

Through structured treatment, group therapy, and clinical support, Leon began understanding the roots of his addiction. He learned to sit with uncomfortable feelings and ask for help. Even after completing residential treatment, he returned every Friday for aftercare sessions, showing up even when it felt impossible.

The Ripple Effect

Leon's recovery represents more than one life saved. His story is unfolding as Ireland faces a growing addiction crisis, with over 24,000 drug and alcohol treatment episodes recorded in 2025. Nearly two-thirds of Rutland Centre clients now present with multiple addictions, making treatment more complex than ever.

Yet the numbers offer hope too. Despite increasingly challenging cases, 98% of residential clients and 81% of outpatient clients completed their treatment programs last year. In June, the center expanded beyond Dublin for the first time, opening an Athlone location to serve people across the Midlands and West.

Maebh Mullany, the Rutland Centre's Chief Executive, emphasized what Leon's journey demonstrates. "Addiction is not always visible, and someone may appear to be functioning while privately experiencing enormous distress," she said. "Recovery is possible, but nobody should have to undertake it alone."

Now 21 months into recovery, Leon uses his medallion as a daily reminder. "This represents every day I chose recovery and the people who believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself," he said. His commitment to weekly aftercare continues, helping him stay connected to the support system that saved his life.

Recovery Month ceremonies like this one celebrate not just the people in recovery, but the families, friends, and professionals who stand beside them. For Leon and the other recipients, their medallions mark milestones from one year to several decades, each one representing courage, perseverance, and the decision to keep choosing life.