Rabbi addicted to opioids uses his experience to help his congregants

(JTA) - For Rabbi Michael Perice, the hardest thing about counseling congregants who have family members dealing with addiction had been holding back his own experience with substance abuse.

"I really wanted to let people know in these conversations that I understand. And I couldn't do that," Perice said.

Perice, the spiritual leader at Temple Sinai of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, decided to change that by telling his congregation the story of his four-year struggle with opioid addiction. He celebrated 10 years of sobriety in April.

Perice knew that sharing his story would not be without its risks...