*Warning: Article contains mention of drug use *
A mother once shared some heartbreaking pictures of her son taken months apart, to show the unforgiving effects of drug addiction.
The difference between the two photos is stark, and is a message to the public about how severe addiction can be.
The man in the post is Cody Bishop, and his mum shared the photos in October 2019, when she described him as the 'face of heroin and meth'.
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Cody's mum, Jennifer Salfen-Tracy, said that the posted photos should be used as a wake-up call on the overarching issues of drug abuse.
The pics, shared on Facebook, can be seen below, and can be a bit distressing, viewer discretion is advised:
The first image shows a healthy, happy 26-year-old, but the second photo shows the same Cody Bishop covered in sores and homeless at the time.
At the time the photos were posted, Jennifer wrote: "These pictures were taken seven months apart. That is how fast someone is affected. Cody is still homeless in Las Vegas and I have not heard from him in weeks now. Hearing how bad he is doing is hard but not hearing at all is worse.
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"I have learned along this path that so many people and families deal with the same heartache but just do not talk about it. This is a true issue in our world today that we need to pull together and focus on to fix instead of the government worrying about and spending all their money on throwing each other under the bus."
She was clearly distressed but was determined to spread awareness of addiction, and provide a comfort for others who also have a loved one going through it.
Cody's addiction did not continue for long after, as Jennifer posted an update on Facebook in January 2022, just a year after Cody admitted himself in for rehabilitation.
On this new post, she gleefully explained how happy she is that her son turned a corner saying: "I would now like to say that Cody is the 'Face of Recovery' instead of 'The face of Heroin and Meth'."
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Jennifer continued: "The road has not been easy for him or all of us involved but I could never be more thankful for having my son alive and sober today.
"Today, Cody is sober, working full time, has a relationship with his family and his daughters! God is so good and we are all so blessed. Thank you to everyone! I have my son back, my kids have their brother back and my Granddaughters have their Daddy!"
Cody has also posted on the social media channel, confirming in October that he is still sober, sharing the quote: "I did drugs. Sure I did. I was a junkie. That's a fact. But I also found recovery. Gossip about that."
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week.
Joshua Nair