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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think my work can’t be the only one like this?

43 replies

WoodysRoundup · 13/04/2018 12:04

I work in a customer facing role, long long hours, little sleep between them. Short breaks and people often don’t eat for 24 hours due to getting home and going straight to sleep.
There is a culture of taking drugs beteeen my collegues but a few days ago I was stressed and broke down for a minute in the back room. After being given a hug and pulling myself together I was offered some cocaine

I’ve heard of Chefs who work 80 hour weeks taking cocaine to get through but this was the first time I was offered on shift. (I have done it occasionally outside of work I won’t lie. But I’ve stopped now )

Anyone else had experience of this?

OP posts:

JustLayingOnTheSofa · 13/04/2018 13:25

No way I could afford drugs on my salary!

dumbledoriangray · 13/04/2018 13:25

Super common in legal, catering, marketing / PR and creative arts roles in my experience. Usually one of two types - existing social users occasionally dabbling at work to meet a deadline / stay awake etc OR those who are reliant - obviously the first sometimes leads to the second, but not always.

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 13/04/2018 13:25

We're all grown ups here- but still I'm surprised by the amount of jobs exampled that accept drug use.

Seems like a social taboo that no-one talks about but everyone knows of. High pressure job, the more the need to perform.

MickHucknallspinkpancakes · 13/04/2018 13:26

There used to be a supposedly discreet but heavily frequented drug support program for Head office staff at a major retail chain in the UK.

I think it's common.

I used to work ridiculous hours when I was younger as did my colleagues.

Speed was the chosen form of drug then iirc.

Twoweekcruise · 13/04/2018 13:27

I think it’s an age thing. I’m 45 and have never come across it in my jobs and they random drugs test in dh workplace, it’s immediate dismissal if you test positive. However, our niece and nephew are in their mid 20’s and say it rife within their work places!

Goingalonenow · 13/04/2018 13:27

I work in a pub/bar. It's common.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 13/04/2018 13:31

I've seen first hand how hugely common it is in finance, law and catering. And not just a blind eye turned to it but frequently enabled by senior management.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 13/04/2018 13:32

And I strongly disagree "it's an age thing". I've seen it in these industries at every age/level.

DiegoMadonna · 13/04/2018 13:33

How many jobs are really so difficult/stressful/tiring that you NEED drugs to be able to do it? Very few. As you said OP, you do yours without taking drugs.

So basically, some people just like to take drugs at work.

DiegoMadonna · 13/04/2018 13:35

I'm self-employed so I work pretty long hours sometimes. I rarely get stressed though, because I manage my work and time well and to specifically avoid stressful/difficult situations.

I do often use caffeine to get me through the morning though.

DiegoMadonna · 13/04/2018 13:37

The cleaner once sent a memo saying they were uncomfortable cleaning up my drug paraphernalia, but there was no way I was going to work from 7am without something to get me trhough, so I just told my OH I was sorry and I would clear the coffee granules from the kitchen worktop myself in future.

Dulra · 13/04/2018 13:44

If you need drugs to get through your shift you're in the wrong job. I'd love to see these people at 60. No one can sustain that kind of lifestyle for very long something has to give

DiegoMadonna

roundaboutthetown · 13/04/2018 13:47

Nobody needs cocaine to help keep them going in a stressful job. It's a twatty lifestyle choice and bugger all to do with working hours. In the long run, it increases the chances you will crash and burn and get no sympathy for it when you do. It also increases the chances of you being obnoxious, aggressive and unpleasant to be around - hence the lack of sympathy...

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 13/04/2018 13:51

How many jobs are really so difficult/stressful/tiring that you NEED drugs to be able to do it? Very few

I agree. There is a bit of a attitude in many jobs that undermines the problem.

I've worked in one of 'those' places and had colleagues who 'couldn't pull an all-nighter without coke,' and the others, who, y'know, just did it and felt tired.

The drug thing is intimidating and dangerous for young people joining the professions, and it's so bloody irresponsible for senior partners and management to allow the 'hey, that's how we roll' attitude to thrive.

The ones who still cling on to some outdated idea that's 'drugs are cool' need a serious reality check.

supersop60 · 13/04/2018 13:52

I used to work in theatre and knew that the stage crew would take stuff yo help them through the long hours of taking down a set, loading it on and off the van and travelling to the next venue.
I don't see many replies on here where people are shocked by this.
I am. Is this the world that my DCs are growing up in?
Oh well - to quote Scrooge - "let them die and decrease the surplus population"

Mrsemcgregor · 13/04/2018 13:59

How very 80s!

Mrstumbletap · 13/04/2018 14:38

Coke, anal and avocados, the yooth of today

RosiePosiePuddle · 14/04/2018 22:13

Nobody needs cocaine to help keep them going in a stressful job. It's a twatty lifestyle choice and bugger all to do with working hours.

Dh as a chef agrees with you and would have no problem in telling such a twat in his kitchen. Also the pay is shit. Why blow it (no pun intended) on a drug to help you cope better at a shit-paying job with ridiculous hours?

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