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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Is my relationship toxic?

19 replies

Moonface68 · 20/12/2024 14:41

Hi all.

This may be a long one but I need some support with this. Me and my boyfriend have been together now 8 years, and he's always been great with a few hiccups.

Since we have been together he has always liked to drink alcohol, I can take it or leave it. However, over the last 3-4 years, he has been drinking much more and his personality changes after a certain amount. I know the stages he will go through and the outcome will be.

At first he is all "jokey" and in a good mood, then he turns the joke onto me and I can have a joke but he goes overboard and it's not funny then he says that I can't handle his humour and that I need to learn how to handle a joke. He then starts to become in a play fighting type mood which is cute and all, but not when he is drunk because he is 6 foot 3 and I am 5 foot 2, and he doesn't know how rough he can be, and even with me saying spot that's enough, he laughs and continues, saying he thought I was joking.

He also enjoys telling me the stuff he has done for me, and compares what he brings to the relationship verses what I bring. With him earning more than me, he says he enjoys treating me but I actually dread it knowing he will remind me what he did or bought for me in a few weeks time.

I've told him how he acts after a drink and he assures me he is going to change his drinking habits and he never does, or if he does its for a few weeks and an excuse, like an occasion or something will be the reason he has to drink. It even ruins our plans together because somewhere along the lines, the plan will change so we can go to a pub or something.

He's always again made "jokes" about me cheating and a few times earlier in the relationship wanted to go through my phone and I used to have a stronge mindset and said no because to me it's a sign of controlling behaviour, which I have had in previous relationships. I have never cheated and don't like the idea of it.

Last night we had an argument. His best friend has been travelling the world with his partner of 11 years and they split up (due to his best friend finding another girl and cheating on his partner) my partner told me they were talking last night and his friend asked if I let my partner go through my phone, my partner explained to me that he said I get funny about my phone and don't let him go through it. Which annoyed me as he has gone through it in the past and he knows my passwords. I said that I do not get funny about it but it's a lack of privacy and the disrespect of him feeling the need to go through my phone. I said you can go through my phone anytime I'm not bothered to which he replied "yeah I bet I can now" and "I don't want to see what's on there" my partner isn't stupid and he knows how to word things, so the way he worded that, to me, insinuated I had something to hide which annoyed me. When I stated it annoyed me, he said to me "why are you going on and making an issue" This annoyed me even more because he is good at getting me annoyed or upset then gaslighting me into believing he hasn't said anything wrong.

We are not engaged or anything but he went on to say that anyone he is going to marry he wants them to take a lie detector test because of his own insecurities from previous relationships and if that person loved him, they would do it.

Now, I'm going to add something I am very ashamed of. This is the only time I have lied to my partner. December 2022, I found out I was around 9 weeks pregnant. After doctors telling me I could struggle to convince previously, I didn't think I would be pregnant. Over the 2 months (when I was blindfully unaware I was pregnant) I lost around 4 stone because I was being sick everyday from eating or just drinking water. The doctors told me I have a medical condition that basically my body rejects pregnancy, and it I would have to be in hospital for the entire pregnancy. This scared me and as I have never been in this position, I was worried I'd damage the baby's health. As I was 9 weeks pregnant, I had little time to process the idea and we made a decision to abort. I've never wanted to do this, and once I did, it hit me hard and to a point I felt I deserved to die. I wanted to take my own life. My partner refused to talk about the situation making me feel alone. It was an at home abortion and I was alone during the process and hated everything about it. My partner said that he went through it all as well just as much as I did, which I understand he went through it mentally but physically it was a memory I will never forget and wanted to talk to my partner and be a team to overcome it but he didn't want too. I was so low, I turned to drugs. Never have done it before but for around 2 months I had cocaine, I wanted to OD. He found one bag and I panicked but told him everything. He states that I lied and used the abortion as an excuse to have drugs, which was not the case. He says this is the reason he doesn't trust me, and he is unsure if i have cheated in the past. I thought we moved on from this and I hated myself for doing what I did. But does this mean I deserve to be punished over and over? He has accused me of cheating before anything like this happened.

OP posts:
SensibleJaneAndrews · 20/12/2024 14:49

This isn’t a good relationship OP and I think you know that. Dreading your partner getting drunk; feeling uncomfortable when he treats you because it’s going to get thrown back at you - this is no way to live. He sounds controlling with the pressure to go through your phone. As for using your trauma over abortion as further fodder to accuse you of cheating - that’s seriously low. You haven’t said a single positive thing about your relationship. What would you say to a friend or sister who described this as their relationship?

Girlmom35 · 20/12/2024 14:57

Jesus OP, every bit of your story just got worse and worse.
You are allowed to be human. You are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. What an absolutely horrible man your boyfriend is for using every little thing against you.
This is clearly a man with a need to control you. And he does so by making you feel small. By constantly accusing you of things you haven't done, so he can play the victim of these alleged wrongdoings.
I imagine your relationship feels like walking on eggshells. And relationships shouldn't feel that way, ever.

What's keeping you from leaving him?

DownThePubWithStevieNicks · 20/12/2024 15:05

He sounds like a man whose behaviour will continue to escalate, becoming more controlling and more physical.

Amd even if it doesn’t, it’s bad enough now to mean you’re unhappy and on edge. Start putting plans in place to leave - what’s your housing situation? Earnings? Family and friends’ support?

unsync · 20/12/2024 15:21

It's not great is it? It certainly sounds toxic. He sounds insecure and controlling, and doesn't respect your boundaries. Maybe do some reading up on abuse, maybe Lundy Bancroft's book and see if any of it resonates. You should think about moving on regardless.

I always think if you've got to the point when you need to ask, your instinct is trying to tell you something.

slightlydistrac · 20/12/2024 15:31

Is it toxic?

Yes it is, very much so, and the root of it all is two-fold. One is his drinking and being obnoxious towards you, and his insistence that you can't take a joke, the other is his complete inability to trust you or any other woman.

Neither of those are going to get better.

You only have one option really, and you already know what that is, because that's why you started this thread. To have others confirm what you already know.

Moonface68 · 20/12/2024 15:50

We don't live together, and in all honesty, I don't know what's holding me back. There is many more incidents, such as comments about weight etc and because he is a bigger guy, he over buys take aways or food and he claims that he just wants to make sure I eat, and I have put weight because of this.

He's even come out with sexual inappropriate comments towards my mother and she loves the attention so she laughs at it, making me uncomfortable as well.

There are good times, don't get me wrong. But it always boils down to his behavior from drinking and I've lost myself. I'm scared 8 years (9 tomorrow!) Is such a waste to throw away but I suppose I wanted to ask on here to see if it was actually "my fault" so to speak. Since the abortion I've felt not worthy of much so I wanted to check if this was normal behavior or if it was a jump ship situation.

Thank you for the messages, I was worried I would get hate for what I had done.

OP posts:
Tiredandneedtogotobed · 20/12/2024 16:03

Please do not see it as wasting 8 years. It creeps up on you slowly, be grateful that you have realised now before living together and/or trying for a baby again.
he is a bully and is using banter/ just a joke as an excuse. To put it back on you. It’s a common tool for manipulation.

He sounds awful and controlling. It is not you. He doesn’t listen to you or respect you.

read the Lundh Bancroft book:

https://www.docdroid.net/2fZmz40/why-does-he-do-that-pdf

and google the freedom programme.

You have been through so much. Be kind to yourself. finish it with him.

why-does-he-do-that.pdf

“This fascinating investigation into what makes abusive men tick is alarming, but its candid handling of a difficult subject makes it a valuable resource for professionals and victims alike…. Jargon-free analysis is frequently broken up by interesting...

https://www.docdroid.net/2fZmz40/why-does-he-do-that-pdf

DownThePubWithStevieNicks · 20/12/2024 16:21

You haven’t wasted 8 years, but you’ll waste any further years you spend with him.

It gets said on so many threads, but it really is better to be single than in a crap relationship.

CoralRubyFish · 20/12/2024 16:28

Wow. I'm going to keep it simple. Yes it's toxic. It's him not you. You should leave him!

Don't be afraid. I left a 10 yr relationship that turned toxic. I cried loads about all the time I had 'wasted' with him. But the past is the past. I have a lovely DH now and am so glad I left him. You can do this! Please go and find peace.

HaveNoIdeaForAName · 20/12/2024 16:34

Bin him off!

ItGhoul · 20/12/2024 16:43

This is about as toxic as it gets. Honestly, this is beyond dysfunctional and so, so unhealthy for you. You really need to end this relationship.

Epidote · 20/12/2024 17:50

Yes, it is toxic.

slightlydistrac · 20/12/2024 17:58

Read up on the sunk cost fallacy.

Yes you have spent years of your life with him, but don't let that sway you into wasting any more. You don't live together and aren't financially or legally entangled, so dumping him should be straightforward enough.

Pumpkinpie1 · 20/12/2024 18:38

Yes this is a toxic relationship.
Better to jump ship now OP than waste another decade dealing with his …..

Browningstown · 20/12/2024 20:59

Oh OP, so toxic its hard to know where to begin.

He is a drunken bullying thug.
Highly abusive.
Absolutely toxic.
Not someone you would ever inflict on a child.
He friends are scum like him.

Be glad you don't live with this loser.
Get away from him, asap.

SensibleJaneAndrews · 20/12/2024 21:29

The fact that you don’t live together after eight years says something too, doesn’t it. It’s excellent that you’ve kept that independence.

It’s really difficult to appreciate that you are a good person who deserves better, when your self- esteem is being consistently undermined. Lots of us have been there. It will be a lot easier to start to deal with your emotions about abortion and your own sense of self worth when it isn’t constantly being sapped by having to deal with this man. What would you need to end things?

RepTV · 20/12/2024 21:34

DownThePubWithStevieNicks · 20/12/2024 15:05

He sounds like a man whose behaviour will continue to escalate, becoming more controlling and more physical.

Amd even if it doesn’t, it’s bad enough now to mean you’re unhappy and on edge. Start putting plans in place to leave - what’s your housing situation? Earnings? Family and friends’ support?

I totally agree with this, I had an ex partner who was exactly like this. The drinking,the wanting to look through my phone, being accused of cheating. It did escalate and he physically attacked me very badly. I would leave now before it gets to this point and it will get to that point.

SensibleSigma · 20/12/2024 21:38

Gosh he is awful. Thank God you have managed to keep your independence and not moved in together.

I could list the ways he’s abusive, but why waste the time?!

I suspect he will get dangerous- be very careful how you end things. Get a friend to help you plan. Do not trust your mother with this.

Dery · 20/12/2024 22:58

Horribly toxic, @Moonface68. Google “sunk cost fallacy”. You can’t get back the years you’ve spent with this guy but you certainly don’t need to give him any more years. A good relationship will feel joyful and secure; it will be a source of growth and comfort. Don’t waste any more time with a man who makes you feel small, anxious, insecure and upset. He needs to be history.

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