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Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months
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Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

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Addiction ruins lives. Those of the addicted, as well as those of their loved ones. Fortunately, however difficult life might get, there are people out there who care about us and do their darndest to help us in our hour of need.

Jennifer Salfen-Tracy turned to Facebook to share with everyone how her oldest son Cody Bishop, who is suffering from heroin and meth addiction, is doing. According to his mom, Cody is homeless and she hasn’t heard from him in weeks. The photos she shared of him are shocking, especially when you realize that they’re only 7 months apart.

A desperate mother shared photos of her son Cody…

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

…who has completely changed in 7 months due to heroin and meth use

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Cody’s mom wants her son to come back home and get clean

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Cody’s mom, who is from Missouri, hopes that her son will return home and get his life sorted out because of the major negative impact that drugs have had on his life, health, and outlook on life.

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Salfen-Tracy also drew attention to the fact that this sort of addiction is far from rare; it affects more people than you’d expect. Heroin, which is an opioid, is part of a larger problem of addiction in America and elsewhere.

In the United States, addiction— of all types — is widespread. Addiction Center highlights that 21 million Americans “have at least one addiction,” however, only a tenth of them receive treatment. The Center also notes that out of those, 2.1 million have an opioid use disorder and almost half a million Americans are regular heroin users.

Over 700,000 US citizens have died from overdosing on a drug (any drug) from 1999 to 2017. Drug and alcohol addiction is a heavy weight on the US economy: it costs the country more than 600 billion dollars each and every year.

What’s more, around a fifth of Americans who have “depression or an anxiety disorder also have a substance use disorder,” according to Addiction Center.

Around 130 US citizens die daily from opioid overdose. Since 2017, 15,000 Americans have lost their lives because they overdosed on heroin.

An astoundingly large number of people in the US have used heroin at least once since 2017: 886,000 individuals have tried it and around a quarter of them will go on to be addicted to heroin. All we can do is hope that Cody gets the help he needs and doesn’t become just another statistic.

People who read Jennifer’s story encouraged her not to give up

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

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Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

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Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

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Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

Mother Shares Photos Of Her Oldest Son, Showing What Heroin And Meth Addiction Can Do In 7 Months

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merlestechow avatar
LuckyL
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry, but reading over and over again, that people only trust in god and that someone changed his life just because of the help of god sometimes really makes me wonder. Especially the part when someone manges to turn his life around and stay sober, that people say, that it's "by the grace of god" - why not say, that this person found his strenght and was able to change his life by himself.

ellenarndt avatar
Ellen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exposing your son like this on a public platform won't help him; only he can help him self. God can't help either. Sorry to be harsh but I've struggled with addiction and only you, yourself the addict, can seek help and work hard to obtain and keep sobriety. If God had anything to do with it, there wouldn't be overdoses or addicts at all for that matter. Offer him resources and help and if he accepts it, that's for him to decide.

giovannat1979 avatar
giovanna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree, and above all I agree on the exposure part. He's on FB, name and surname, and I feel he could be damaged in the future by this exposure. Imagine he finds the strength to get over his addiction. This pic will stay forever on the web. This is exposing a weak subject. Not nice.

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michelle_muirhead avatar
Michelle Muirhead
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so sorry for the mother and hope her son can be saved. I lost my daughter ( as in I had to get an AVO against her), and as a consequence my first grandchild due to my daughter’s drug addiction and her resulting paranoia.

leonoreschoeman avatar
Leonore Schoeman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mom of Cody Bishop..Stay strong and Believe in God to turn things around for your son,yes ultimately God does not force anyone to turn to Him,but He is the source of your very existence. Your son needs will power yes and that is when u step in and ask God to open Cody's mind,to give him God's infinite Wisdom,Knowledge and Understanding to be able to make that change. God is Real,God is Great and God is Good...No- people can do things without God.

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doughboi avatar
dough boi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He wont get clean until he himself decides that he has had enough.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could have saved myself 3 years of HELL if I had not listened to my family and gone to a medical based treatment onstead of a Faith based one. Down vote me all you want nut until you have lived it

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Im trying to help save lives here. Teen Challenge is a scam

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johnlouis avatar
John Louis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IMPORTANT: If you live in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area and want more info or need help go to facebook and find Heroin Doesn't Care (So We Have To).

demi_zwaan avatar
Demi Zwaan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing to worry about here, she turned it over to God, so it's his problem now. And everyone else is praying, so it's going to be fine. No need to go there and actually help him.

burkin avatar
William Burkin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the point you missed is that you can't help other people with this, they have to want help first otherwise it wont work. Your judgment does nothing , your virtue signaling does nothing

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giovannat1979 avatar
giovanna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know she meant well, but I'm not sure sharing the picture of your son in these conditions would help HIM. I mean it's really exposing him. I know we're so used to being public and social all the time, but sometimes I wish ppl would think twice before posting relevant info and pics of weaker subjects, like this young man is.

kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

May be irrelevant and I'm in no way advocating heroin but this looks more like meth than heroin.

dwntwnjeff70 avatar
Jeff Heinemann
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After doing a little FB digging, I read that he was located and has been in touch with his mother. That was all the way back on July 8th. I hope he keeps in touch and get's the help he and his girlfriend needs. They have to find the strength to get the help they need.

t_janine avatar
Non-New-Toni-An
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I was on drugs and a pic of me went viral, it would push me over the edge!! That's just me though, fingers crossed it has the opposite effect on him...

marneederider40 avatar
Marnie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Completely agree. I would never post something like this about my son online unless it was in such a way that someone would have to try hard to make it go from private to public. It's not as if she were relaying some silver bullet that worked and could help millions. Then maybe you'd want it to go public.

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priya_patel_1 avatar
Whatever...
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To those of you downvoting comments about not naming these people publicly: Have you ever had a loved one who was/is an addict? Have you ever watched them die? Or, felt absolutely helpless because they refused your help? In just the past 4 years, we lost 3 family members and 1 friend to opioid addiction. I watched helplessly as my best friend since 9 years old, went from being one of the most beautiful women I'd ever met, to being toothless, elderly looking, and nearly bald. Had we publicly named them prior to their deaths, it would've only hastened it. Also, if someone has been sober, it isn't up to you to bring up their past. If they want to, they'll do it themselves.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is she airing dirty laundry in public? Certain issues deserve privacy. Why name him publicly?

priya_patel_1 avatar
Whatever...
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly! It is NOT her story to share. It's his if he wants to. Shaming him publicly WILL NOT WORK. Most (If not all) people downvoting have never gone through this. They just think it's PC to downvote.

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margaretwellman avatar
Margaret Wellman
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see a great deal of people use their faith to help them clean up. I won't doubt that they thank God for helping them find strength. A great deal of people find strength in themselves through faith. While I believe the strength is within yourself, it is always good to know that someone is praying for you to find it. I'm not religious by any means, but when I have found myself or my family in dark times, it is comforting to know that people are thinking of us. I hope he finds his strength, either with God or his own will power, and gets better.

hu3y2739 avatar
Huey89
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think everyone is addicted to something in one form or another. If you're lucky you can channel it to more healthy options such as the gym? He's switched his comfort foods to something a lot worse unfortunately.

lyone_fein avatar
Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am going to say a couple of things that may be unpopular, given all the comments I've read so far. The first thing I want to address is why this mother posted her son's photos. Several of you have criticized her for this. But she clearly states that she hasn't heard from him in a while. She is seeking help from others in finding him. This is one of her reasons for the pictures (in addition to warning others about the extreme costs of addiction). The second thing I want to address is the anti-religion trend in the comments. In reality, none of us knows why any person chooses to destroy himself on one day........and then turns around and chooses to retake and remake his life on another day. What mysterious inner forces cause someone to miraculously decide that they want to recover from something like addiction? Few of us really know. Even those of us who have been through it ourselves.

lyone_fein avatar
Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Mysterious Force" is a very simple, but common definition for what people in all cultures everywhere have called God (throughout history). So why is this term so offensive to so many commenters here? It is certainly true that every addict must make the mysterious decision to journey to recovery on their own. But how they do this is somewhat ungraspable, isn't it?

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cstinley avatar
Dr.Scott
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This entire thread of comments is disappointing. She didn't post it for everyone's opinion on her prayer life or God. She posted to raise awareness of how badly those hardcore drugs can affect someone's life. I saw this the other day and just out of curiosity went on the guy's Facebook page. He's selling a woman's watch for $100, I'm assuming to supply his addiction. Get the F over yourselves and your holier than thou opinions (yes atheist and Christians are both guilty) and attempt to see the big picture - the reason this mother posted her story. If someone says "I'm praying for you...God can heal him," stfu and be happy a total stranger is attempting to encourage this mother. If someone says "I don't believe in God or prayer, but I'm a believer in people overcoming addiction," stfu and be happy a total stranger is attempting to encourage this mother. This constant need to shout out our opinions like everything is about us is wearing on my got damn nerves.

fucutsu avatar
No meth
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My thing is... yeah mom can get great feedback and lessons. Nobody addicted to meth is looking for this, they can't sit still. I appreciate her sorrow and all your support. But, unless he is willing or anyone... nope

marneederider40 avatar
Marnie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people are saying in the comments that it likely won't help this man to have his story and photo spread across the globe (and I agree), yet this story has 126 upvotes. So, 126 people think that it's a good idea to spread the photo and story about your kid's suffering (without a solution or advice), and a handful think that is not cool to do as a parent. My faith in the goodness of people at Bored Panda has been seriously undermined.

blondie_colleen avatar
Colleen Adams
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s a terrible addiction- I’m so sorry. Take care of yourself first. #momofadultaddict

cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those photos are heartbreaking, but I know through friends who battle addiction and win day-by-day that it can be beaten… day-by-day. "God" is magic for those who hope for such solutions. I hope Cody meets PEOPLE who can get through to him -- or rescue him when he is too close to the edge or falls into the abyss. "God" has had seven months and hasn't been able to punish Cody enough that he gets the message. Do I sound like an atheist? GOOD.

andreporter2 avatar
Andre Porter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She questioned how can a person who has people that love them live that way. It's a bunch of things. For a bunch it's outright selfishness and a belief they're doing fine and should bs able to do anything they please. Others its the opposite. They know they've failed themselves and hurt their families. They have so much guilt they drown their "shame and sorrows" in drugs or boose. Then you have those who were traumatized by something in their life. Like me it could be years of being beaten and being told you're worth less than trash from almost infancy compiled with years of being bullied. The last is accidental addiction which happens with lots of severe injury sufferers. Then you have various combinations of the 4. It takes time and effort and sometimes taking the control away from the addicts. Jail. Hospitalization. Court ordered detoxification. That one, court ordered detox should be used alot more. It should be regular practice and law to put people in Court ordered detox

chrishill avatar
priya_patel_1 avatar
Whatever...
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What was Dennis Carey's mother thinking? If she's proud of him, why bring up his past in federal prison to thousands of strangers... not to mention his co-workers?

i2027594 avatar
Valerie Lessard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drug cartels need to be destroyed, creating users in countries and ruining everybody's lives

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F**k the hope and prayers. Jesus wants somebody in that condition to go on Medication Assisted Therapy with a clinical MEDICAL based treatment. You can't pray this away

loganharris avatar
Logan Harris
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People who live in glass houses should p**s off. I am personally an atheist, that's just how it is, but you are taking "intolerant" to a whole new level. If somebody believes in a god (or multiple - whatever floats your boat, India), let them have their religion, their pride, their hope. Let them believe in something that gives them mental and moral strength, even if they think the creator of the universe is a f*****g horse with 3 legs wearing a tutu! What I'm trying to say is, be firm in your beliefs, Jewish people, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and everyone else. Don't let losers like this "Bill" guy tell you that your belief is wrong.

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onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
4 years ago

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For those that say they were addicts years ago...this kid isn't going to survive for years. He'll be dead within six months if he doesn't clean up NOW. Some people go downhill faster than others, but looking at the "after" picture, I'm seeing someone that will go from drug free to dead within 12 months.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So God is at best 5% Omnipotent. 95% failure rate from studies John Hopkins and Mayo Clinic studies for addiction.

emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It's obvious that the majority of people that have come on here to criticize this mother for praying or for people giving credit for their strength to God have either never dealt with addiction or have animosity towards people that have belief in a higher power. What harm is it doing to you for someone to believe in God? Do you know for a fact that this person serves God to personally harm you! How dare you sit there with your self righteous attitudes and judgements and tear someone down for taking the steps they needed to pull themselves out of the fire or to deal with the immense tragedies of their life. Get off your high horse and realize that her sharing this story has nothing to do with trying to bring anyone to God and everything to do with trying to warn people how quickly drugs can destroy a life.

emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I find it weird that everyone thinks this woman shouldn't have shared her sons information on a public platform. They criticize her for not helping her son. That maybe she should go to Vegas and search for him. Do you all know how big Vegas is? Better to post it publicly and have thousands of people looking for him than just one person. Have any of you considered that she's also sharing this to show people how quickly heroin and meth can destroy your life? People act like this is a taboo topic that should never be mentioned in public. Exposing the problem is one of the first steps in reducing its destructiveness. If you can't help this woman or give her hope, then keep your comments to yourself.

ellenarndt avatar
Ellen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Carol if it were that easy to give in to higher powers we'd all be praying excitedly and be free of addiction. Guess what that ain't happening. You've never been in this mans shoes, please, your naïveté is painfully sad

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priya_patel_1 avatar
Whatever...
Community Member
4 years ago

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Bastian Schenck: Congratulations! 32 people acknowledged your existence! That's 32 more than usual!

burkin909 avatar
shireen_2 avatar
Shireen
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So let me get this straight - a couple of weeks ago there was a whole post dedicatd to people who had gone through drug addiction and got clean (this is fine). This post is a Mom trying to spread awareness and reach out to her son on a social media site (which isn't private!) and people are making fun of her and saying this may do more harm than good? Ok then...

bruno_mruzin avatar
Beh Pnkt
Community Member
4 years ago

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So kids, Meth is good if you want to lose weight. Also If you aspire to star in the next "two face" movie.

shireen_2 avatar
Shireen
Community Member
4 years ago

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Wow... people are on a disliking rampage on this post eh? Point or something obvious, apologise, ask a legit question and I still get downvoted.

sanchorb avatar
LSR
Community Member
4 years ago

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Well...at least he is not fat anymore, lol

miklosnagy avatar
Miklós Nagy
Community Member
4 years ago

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Finally a diet which actually helps loosing your weight!

ellenarndt avatar
merlestechow avatar
LuckyL
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry, but reading over and over again, that people only trust in god and that someone changed his life just because of the help of god sometimes really makes me wonder. Especially the part when someone manges to turn his life around and stay sober, that people say, that it's "by the grace of god" - why not say, that this person found his strenght and was able to change his life by himself.

ellenarndt avatar
Ellen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exposing your son like this on a public platform won't help him; only he can help him self. God can't help either. Sorry to be harsh but I've struggled with addiction and only you, yourself the addict, can seek help and work hard to obtain and keep sobriety. If God had anything to do with it, there wouldn't be overdoses or addicts at all for that matter. Offer him resources and help and if he accepts it, that's for him to decide.

giovannat1979 avatar
giovanna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree, and above all I agree on the exposure part. He's on FB, name and surname, and I feel he could be damaged in the future by this exposure. Imagine he finds the strength to get over his addiction. This pic will stay forever on the web. This is exposing a weak subject. Not nice.

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michelle_muirhead avatar
Michelle Muirhead
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so sorry for the mother and hope her son can be saved. I lost my daughter ( as in I had to get an AVO against her), and as a consequence my first grandchild due to my daughter’s drug addiction and her resulting paranoia.

leonoreschoeman avatar
Leonore Schoeman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mom of Cody Bishop..Stay strong and Believe in God to turn things around for your son,yes ultimately God does not force anyone to turn to Him,but He is the source of your very existence. Your son needs will power yes and that is when u step in and ask God to open Cody's mind,to give him God's infinite Wisdom,Knowledge and Understanding to be able to make that change. God is Real,God is Great and God is Good...No- people can do things without God.

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doughboi avatar
dough boi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He wont get clean until he himself decides that he has had enough.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could have saved myself 3 years of HELL if I had not listened to my family and gone to a medical based treatment onstead of a Faith based one. Down vote me all you want nut until you have lived it

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Im trying to help save lives here. Teen Challenge is a scam

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johnlouis avatar
John Louis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IMPORTANT: If you live in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area and want more info or need help go to facebook and find Heroin Doesn't Care (So We Have To).

demi_zwaan avatar
Demi Zwaan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing to worry about here, she turned it over to God, so it's his problem now. And everyone else is praying, so it's going to be fine. No need to go there and actually help him.

burkin avatar
William Burkin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the point you missed is that you can't help other people with this, they have to want help first otherwise it wont work. Your judgment does nothing , your virtue signaling does nothing

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giovannat1979 avatar
giovanna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know she meant well, but I'm not sure sharing the picture of your son in these conditions would help HIM. I mean it's really exposing him. I know we're so used to being public and social all the time, but sometimes I wish ppl would think twice before posting relevant info and pics of weaker subjects, like this young man is.

kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

May be irrelevant and I'm in no way advocating heroin but this looks more like meth than heroin.

dwntwnjeff70 avatar
Jeff Heinemann
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After doing a little FB digging, I read that he was located and has been in touch with his mother. That was all the way back on July 8th. I hope he keeps in touch and get's the help he and his girlfriend needs. They have to find the strength to get the help they need.

t_janine avatar
Non-New-Toni-An
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I was on drugs and a pic of me went viral, it would push me over the edge!! That's just me though, fingers crossed it has the opposite effect on him...

marneederider40 avatar
Marnie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Completely agree. I would never post something like this about my son online unless it was in such a way that someone would have to try hard to make it go from private to public. It's not as if she were relaying some silver bullet that worked and could help millions. Then maybe you'd want it to go public.

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priya_patel_1 avatar
Whatever...
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To those of you downvoting comments about not naming these people publicly: Have you ever had a loved one who was/is an addict? Have you ever watched them die? Or, felt absolutely helpless because they refused your help? In just the past 4 years, we lost 3 family members and 1 friend to opioid addiction. I watched helplessly as my best friend since 9 years old, went from being one of the most beautiful women I'd ever met, to being toothless, elderly looking, and nearly bald. Had we publicly named them prior to their deaths, it would've only hastened it. Also, if someone has been sober, it isn't up to you to bring up their past. If they want to, they'll do it themselves.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is she airing dirty laundry in public? Certain issues deserve privacy. Why name him publicly?

priya_patel_1 avatar
Whatever...
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly! It is NOT her story to share. It's his if he wants to. Shaming him publicly WILL NOT WORK. Most (If not all) people downvoting have never gone through this. They just think it's PC to downvote.

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margaretwellman avatar
Margaret Wellman
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see a great deal of people use their faith to help them clean up. I won't doubt that they thank God for helping them find strength. A great deal of people find strength in themselves through faith. While I believe the strength is within yourself, it is always good to know that someone is praying for you to find it. I'm not religious by any means, but when I have found myself or my family in dark times, it is comforting to know that people are thinking of us. I hope he finds his strength, either with God or his own will power, and gets better.

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Huey89
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think everyone is addicted to something in one form or another. If you're lucky you can channel it to more healthy options such as the gym? He's switched his comfort foods to something a lot worse unfortunately.

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Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am going to say a couple of things that may be unpopular, given all the comments I've read so far. The first thing I want to address is why this mother posted her son's photos. Several of you have criticized her for this. But she clearly states that she hasn't heard from him in a while. She is seeking help from others in finding him. This is one of her reasons for the pictures (in addition to warning others about the extreme costs of addiction). The second thing I want to address is the anti-religion trend in the comments. In reality, none of us knows why any person chooses to destroy himself on one day........and then turns around and chooses to retake and remake his life on another day. What mysterious inner forces cause someone to miraculously decide that they want to recover from something like addiction? Few of us really know. Even those of us who have been through it ourselves.

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Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Mysterious Force" is a very simple, but common definition for what people in all cultures everywhere have called God (throughout history). So why is this term so offensive to so many commenters here? It is certainly true that every addict must make the mysterious decision to journey to recovery on their own. But how they do this is somewhat ungraspable, isn't it?

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Dr.Scott
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This entire thread of comments is disappointing. She didn't post it for everyone's opinion on her prayer life or God. She posted to raise awareness of how badly those hardcore drugs can affect someone's life. I saw this the other day and just out of curiosity went on the guy's Facebook page. He's selling a woman's watch for $100, I'm assuming to supply his addiction. Get the F over yourselves and your holier than thou opinions (yes atheist and Christians are both guilty) and attempt to see the big picture - the reason this mother posted her story. If someone says "I'm praying for you...God can heal him," stfu and be happy a total stranger is attempting to encourage this mother. If someone says "I don't believe in God or prayer, but I'm a believer in people overcoming addiction," stfu and be happy a total stranger is attempting to encourage this mother. This constant need to shout out our opinions like everything is about us is wearing on my got damn nerves.

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No meth
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My thing is... yeah mom can get great feedback and lessons. Nobody addicted to meth is looking for this, they can't sit still. I appreciate her sorrow and all your support. But, unless he is willing or anyone... nope

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Marnie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people are saying in the comments that it likely won't help this man to have his story and photo spread across the globe (and I agree), yet this story has 126 upvotes. So, 126 people think that it's a good idea to spread the photo and story about your kid's suffering (without a solution or advice), and a handful think that is not cool to do as a parent. My faith in the goodness of people at Bored Panda has been seriously undermined.

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Colleen Adams
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s a terrible addiction- I’m so sorry. Take care of yourself first. #momofadultaddict

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Steve Cruz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those photos are heartbreaking, but I know through friends who battle addiction and win day-by-day that it can be beaten… day-by-day. "God" is magic for those who hope for such solutions. I hope Cody meets PEOPLE who can get through to him -- or rescue him when he is too close to the edge or falls into the abyss. "God" has had seven months and hasn't been able to punish Cody enough that he gets the message. Do I sound like an atheist? GOOD.

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Andre Porter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She questioned how can a person who has people that love them live that way. It's a bunch of things. For a bunch it's outright selfishness and a belief they're doing fine and should bs able to do anything they please. Others its the opposite. They know they've failed themselves and hurt their families. They have so much guilt they drown their "shame and sorrows" in drugs or boose. Then you have those who were traumatized by something in their life. Like me it could be years of being beaten and being told you're worth less than trash from almost infancy compiled with years of being bullied. The last is accidental addiction which happens with lots of severe injury sufferers. Then you have various combinations of the 4. It takes time and effort and sometimes taking the control away from the addicts. Jail. Hospitalization. Court ordered detoxification. That one, court ordered detox should be used alot more. It should be regular practice and law to put people in Court ordered detox

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priya_patel_1 avatar
Whatever...
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What was Dennis Carey's mother thinking? If she's proud of him, why bring up his past in federal prison to thousands of strangers... not to mention his co-workers?

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Valerie Lessard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drug cartels need to be destroyed, creating users in countries and ruining everybody's lives

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Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F**k the hope and prayers. Jesus wants somebody in that condition to go on Medication Assisted Therapy with a clinical MEDICAL based treatment. You can't pray this away

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Logan Harris
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People who live in glass houses should p**s off. I am personally an atheist, that's just how it is, but you are taking "intolerant" to a whole new level. If somebody believes in a god (or multiple - whatever floats your boat, India), let them have their religion, their pride, their hope. Let them believe in something that gives them mental and moral strength, even if they think the creator of the universe is a f*****g horse with 3 legs wearing a tutu! What I'm trying to say is, be firm in your beliefs, Jewish people, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and everyone else. Don't let losers like this "Bill" guy tell you that your belief is wrong.

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Aunt Messy
Community Member
4 years ago

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For those that say they were addicts years ago...this kid isn't going to survive for years. He'll be dead within six months if he doesn't clean up NOW. Some people go downhill faster than others, but looking at the "after" picture, I'm seeing someone that will go from drug free to dead within 12 months.

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Bill
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

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So God is at best 5% Omnipotent. 95% failure rate from studies John Hopkins and Mayo Clinic studies for addiction.

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Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago

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It's obvious that the majority of people that have come on here to criticize this mother for praying or for people giving credit for their strength to God have either never dealt with addiction or have animosity towards people that have belief in a higher power. What harm is it doing to you for someone to believe in God? Do you know for a fact that this person serves God to personally harm you! How dare you sit there with your self righteous attitudes and judgements and tear someone down for taking the steps they needed to pull themselves out of the fire or to deal with the immense tragedies of their life. Get off your high horse and realize that her sharing this story has nothing to do with trying to bring anyone to God and everything to do with trying to warn people how quickly drugs can destroy a life.

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Carol Emory
Community Member
4 years ago

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I find it weird that everyone thinks this woman shouldn't have shared her sons information on a public platform. They criticize her for not helping her son. That maybe she should go to Vegas and search for him. Do you all know how big Vegas is? Better to post it publicly and have thousands of people looking for him than just one person. Have any of you considered that she's also sharing this to show people how quickly heroin and meth can destroy your life? People act like this is a taboo topic that should never be mentioned in public. Exposing the problem is one of the first steps in reducing its destructiveness. If you can't help this woman or give her hope, then keep your comments to yourself.

ellenarndt avatar
Ellen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Carol if it were that easy to give in to higher powers we'd all be praying excitedly and be free of addiction. Guess what that ain't happening. You've never been in this mans shoes, please, your naïveté is painfully sad

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priya_patel_1 avatar
Whatever...
Community Member
4 years ago

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Bastian Schenck: Congratulations! 32 people acknowledged your existence! That's 32 more than usual!

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Shireen
Community Member
4 years ago

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So let me get this straight - a couple of weeks ago there was a whole post dedicatd to people who had gone through drug addiction and got clean (this is fine). This post is a Mom trying to spread awareness and reach out to her son on a social media site (which isn't private!) and people are making fun of her and saying this may do more harm than good? Ok then...

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Beh Pnkt
Community Member
4 years ago

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So kids, Meth is good if you want to lose weight. Also If you aspire to star in the next "two face" movie.

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Shireen
Community Member
4 years ago

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Wow... people are on a disliking rampage on this post eh? Point or something obvious, apologise, ask a legit question and I still get downvoted.

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LSR
Community Member
4 years ago

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Well...at least he is not fat anymore, lol

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Miklós Nagy
Community Member
4 years ago

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Finally a diet which actually helps loosing your weight!

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