Mum's shocking photos of drug-addict son taken seven months apart
Disturbing photos taken just seven months apart have revealed the deathly toll a drug addiction has taken on the physical appearance of a young man.
Cody Bishop now lives on the street in Las Vegas, according to his mother Jennifer Salfen-Tracy, who wrote in a now viral Facebook post that she had not heard from her son in several weeks.
She described the stark difference as the true “face of heroin and meth”.
The young man appeared fit and healthy, and was shown happily posing for the first photo, but was barely recognisable in the second snap.
Having lost a significant amount of weight, Mr Bishop was shown sitting in the back seat of a car and his skin appeared to be covered in bumps and grazes, while his face displayed a concerned expression.
“These pictures were taken seven months apart. That is how fast someone is affected,” his mum said.
“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.
“My oldest son is suffering from his addiction. I am hesitant on sharing but many people ask how things are going so I feel I should share.
“I have learned along this path that so many people and families deal with the same heartache but just do not talk about it.”
Ms Salfen-Tracy said the contrasting images represent “a true issue in our world today”.
Through the power of social media, the mum said she had been able to keep some minor tabs on her son, but otherwise had handed the reigns over to her faith.
“I have turned it over to God and pray that he decides he is tired of living like this and wants to come home to get help.”
The post has been shared more than 28,000 times since being uploaded on Thursday, and has attracted comments from nearly 9000 people.
According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, young adults in Australia aged between 14 and 29 try heroin for the first time at age 17, with 1.3 per cent of Australians aged 14 years and older having used heroin one or more times in their life.
Anyone seeking help for a drug addiction problem can contact Headspace on 1800 650 890, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or visit the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.
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