'How fast someone is affected': Mum shows son's downward drug spiral

This is what serious drug addiction can do in just seven months.

An American mum has shared shocking photos of her son's downward spiral after he became addicted to heroin and meth.

Jennifer Salfen-Tracy took to Facebook to share her son Cody Bishop's story after she hadn't heard from him for two weeks, news.com.au reports.

"Cody if you see this please call us … we love you," she said in the post that's since been shared more than 36,000 times.

Salfen-Tracy said her son's situation was the reality of many people and families in the world today.

"I am hesitant on sharing but many people ask how things are going so I feel I should share," she said.

"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."

The photos were taken seven months apart. Photo / Facebook

She said her son was homeless in Las Vegas and not hearing from him was worrying.

"Hearing how bad he is doing is hard but not hearing at all is worse," she said.

"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."

Salfen-Tracy said she prayed her son was tired of living the way he was and would return home to get the help he needed.

"Through social media I have came along so many great people that have crossed his path over time through his past rehab," she said.

"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."

She pointed out how the photos were taken seven months apart.

"That is how fast someone is affected," she said.

"Let's get a hold of this issue America and help each other."

Salfen-Tracy has been flooded with support, with her post receiving more than 13,000 comments and people pleading with Bishop to return home.