Weeks ago, Jennifer Salfen-Tracy posted an emotional plea to her son Cody, who is battling meth and heroin addiction, asking him to come home. She showcased the reality of addiction and how it affects more than one person, it affects everyone around them too.
The face of heroin and meth...... is reality for so many people and families in this world today. This may be long so i apologize. For my family and friends who know me know that my oldest son Cody Bishop 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. 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.
Salfen-Tracy posted an update a little while later, saying she knew the general area her son was in, but not the exact location.
Update..... 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. The unknown is what makes A person not sleep at night. It is hard to understand how someone who has families and children who love and need them live the life they do. 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. Through social media I have came along so many great people that have crossed his path over time through his past rehab. They have A great support team with each other that is amazing and I appreciate those who have reached out trying to help. I just want to say thank you to those who have talked to him and thank you for all the prayers.
This is not just A problem that my family faces but almost everyone knows someone who has A drug/ heroin addiction. I pray for strength for those suffering and healing for their families and friends. FYI.... these pictures were taken 7 months apart. That is how fast someone is effected.... let’s get ahold of this issue America and help each other. Thanks again for everyone’s love and support. And Cody is you see this please call us... we love you!
After Salfen-Tracy's post went viral, she posted again thanking everyone for their kinds words.
I just want to take A minute and say.... Wow! I cannot believe that my post about my son Cody has went viral like it has. My intention originally was to update my family and friends so they know how he is doing. I am Not always the best on updating everyone. Never would I have thought it would go like it has. I have learned along the way that there are so many people in this world suffering from the loss of A loved one.... suffering with A loved one who is addicted.... or addicted themselves. That just shows how much of an epidemic we have in this world.That clearly shows we do not have enough resources for this problem! We need to talk about it more, help each other, and just love one another instead of assuming the worst all the time. There is no way for me to answer all comments or messages but I just want to say THANK YOU for all the prayers and well wishes coming to my family right now. I am completely humbled and so thankful I cannot express enough. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart from all my family! We are overwhelmed! 💕
People have been following along, wishing the best for Cody. Luckily, his mom posted a hopeful update at the beginning of October.
"Thank you everyone... Cody Bishop has been found and currently in A rehab facility where he is starting his road to recovery," she wrote. "To follow Cody’s journey please follow his page for updates."
Cody's page is "Cody Bishop's Road to Recovery" and has more than 20,000 followers. Salfen-Tracy has been posting updates on behalf of her son, and things seem to be going great. She's also been sharing photos that show just how far Cody has come in a short period of time.
Just A quick update... I very briefly spoke to Cody at rehab. He needed my address.. lol. He said he is doing ok, but feeling pretty sick. A short conversation but stop so thankful for it! He wants me to pass on that he has high hopes and is going to fight his fight! I know this battle is going to be the hardest of his life... prayers for strength so he continues his battle and can live A wonderful life!
Hi everyone.... I just got off the phone with Cody A little bit ago. He is currently doing really well and said he is ready to get out of detox as soon as A bed is ready. He is very excited for that. He is ready to start hitting meetings and doing activities with others. He goes stir crazy not being busy. He did say even though he is so excited to be sober it is A HUGE adjustment and a lot to work through from his previous life. He had been living homeless for about 6 months.... always moving around and A hustle everyday. And now everything is still. He has A lot to work through but sounds excited and happy for A change. I just told him to take it 1 day at A time! Every day is A new day, just to win everyday! I am so proud of him and his daily wins. Thank you everyone for all your love and support. 🥰🥰
So as I was talking to Cody just A few minutes ago and telling him how proud I am of his fight and the video he did with Richie and how much it is touching so many people he says to me..... “It’s amazing but it’s not about all the media. I want to make sure that my friends I met along the way homeless and others like us are able to get the same help someday. I feel guilty that i have this opportunity that others don’t get:... so many other people that deserve and want help have no options. We need to find A way for everyone who wants help to be able to get it. That’s what I want out of Everything. Just because we are homeless doesn’t mean we deserve less.” That has sat pretty heavy on me.... how many times do we walk past someone in need? Someone homeless? They are all someone’s loved ones and family. How can we as A society and country help find and fund resources so those who are homeless, addicts, and in need can get the help they want and need. Obviously as A country we have A severe opioid problem.... so how are we going to fix that? We need to figure that out! And quick! So the next time you see A homeless person or someone in need please take the time to at least say hi to them and treat them with kindness also. Thank you everyone for going on this roller coaster of A journey with me.... it’s A crazy one for sure Much love 💕
Cody, and anyone else battling addiction i just want to say that I will never fully understand the daily battle that you have for sobriety. I do however know that I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication you are putting into your recovery right now. I see the glimpse of joy you have back in you and the ability to enjoy the small things that are coming your way. And you are celebrating the accomplishments as you are making them which is so huge! Be proud of everything you are doing. I do know that you have been fighting some of the hardest battles in your life and made some extremely tough decisions but that only shows how dedicated to recovery you are. I could never be more proud! I do know one thing..... I know your journey is hard. But i promise it will be worth it in the end! Keep your head high! Talk to Jesus and thank him every single day for the opportunity you have to live and recover another day. God has big plans for you. I cannot wait to see where he takes you. Love you always! Mom 💗
If you want to follow along with Cody's journey, you can do follow his page here.