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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

Weed smoking DP taking the piss

20 replies

MaryJuana · 03/04/2010 11:32

This is my first post, so apologies for the silly name, but I hope to post a lot more in the future when I actually have kids and will think up a proper name then

Me and DP got together just under a year ago. Just before we did (we met at work) he moved near to where I lived so that he could be closer to work. He had previously lived here 4 or so years before for the same job before moving in with a friend a bit further away for the interim.

A few months in (maybe 4) he had a random call from a "friend" that he had known when he lived here previously. Said friend is a drug dealer. DP gave up smoking cigarettes (1-2 a day) after we got together - not 100% because of me, although smoking would be a deal breaker for me. So when the friend rang him and duly found out that DP had moved back here, he ended up offering him some of his wares. This hadn't been mentioned in our relationship before and DP asked me if I would like to share some with him. I ended up declining because I felt that I had been there, done that at uni (a handful of times if someone offered me) and us sitting in our flat smoking weed together wasn't something that appealed to me at all. In fact the whole thing made me feel worried and upset and it has done for the past few months - but I have been putting up with it because a) he only smoked at the weekend, after I had gone to bed (we weren't living together then, but spent every night together as we lived so close), b) he only bought some about every 6-8 weeks and it would be gone in a fortnight or so, so the majority of our time together was smoke free. At the time I was unemployed (made redundant in August) and he was still working at the same place, so I felt it was fair for him to need some time alone as we spent all our time together and I was alone during the day. It still made me unhappy as I just hate it, but I felt that this compromise was okay (we had discussed it and come to this conclusion). The only other thing I had a problem with was that whenever the guy rang him to offer drugs, he wouldn't say no, and I didn't know if this was because he always happened to want some when he rang, or if he was afraid of offending the bloke (or something).

Fast forward to February and DP got made redundant as well. A few days after his last day at work, he rang his dealer friend and organised to buy some. I felt horrible about this and realised it was because it was the first time DP had initiated it. As usual when he left to meet the guy, I felt sick and worried, with my stomach in knots. That week, his first of being off work, he smoked every day and didn't even wait until I had gone to bed. I didn't say anything because I would have felt stupid and I knew that being unemployed was hitting him hard. The following weekend, drug dealer rings him to say he's off to Malaysia for a few weeks and does he want to get any? Normally he would have said no as he hadn't quite run out (remember the 6-8 weeks thing!) but of course he said yes, and met him not once but twice that day, to also get some for a friend who was coming over in the evening. That night DP and friend both went into the kitchen to smoke as I sat just outside on the sofa feeling like a loser (why???). The next day, Sunday, I asked DP not to smoke and he said that he wasn't going to anyway because he had a job interview the next day (oh thanks, not because of me then!). The rest of that week he smoked each night even though he had a meeting with a recruitment agent on one day and a second interview on another. At the end of that week we had a big talk with me getting really upset, and ending with him agreeing to go back to weekends "and maybe a few weeknights". I couldn't understand what was wrong with the original deal but knew he was trying to push me, but arguing about it was exhausting and I just wanted to give up.

In the meantime we moved in together on the 1st March. I got offered a job soon after so that was good, as we had been in the house alone together for a few weeks. The weekend before I started, it had got to me so much that I met up with my sister to discuss it and I ended up coming home to write down how I felt, and him reading it. Cue big argument (but not til the next day!) and him agreeing reluctantly to only smoke after I'd gone to bed at 2 nights per weekend (Fri-Sun) plus Wednesday while I was up watching Gossip Girl. One day in my first week of work (week before last), I came home to kiss him and could taste it on his breath. I felt like crying, worried and not knowing what to do - smoking in the evening was bad enough but during the day made me feel like he was turning into some stoner. We had it out again that evening and he said that he had been feeling really down - he had made it into the final 2 of the interview he had, but not got it, and had had no action on the job front since. He was understanding though and agreed not to do it again in the day. He reminded me that his druggie friend was still abroad and he had nearly run out so he would be smoke free from the weekend (last weekend). From then to yesterday, he had nothing to smoke and things were good.

Yesterday he mentioned that he was playing with the dealer friend on PS3, for the first time. Later, just as I said I was going to bed, he said he was going to stay up a bit. I asked him if it was to play COD (sigh, another story there! ) and he looked shifty and said "and have a smoke". I said that I thought he didn't have any, and he said that he got some early in the week. I asked why he hadn't told me, and he got shirty and said that it hadn't come up in conversation, even though I had asked him earlier when he had added drug friend on the PS3 friends list and it was the beginning of the week! So he had bought some on Monday and not told me. I am still waiting to watch my recorded Gossip Girl otherwise I assume he would have been smoking on Wednesday! And it's only been a week or so since he ran out.

We have talked about this so much and I am getting to the end of my tether. I hate hate hate it. It makes me feel so uncomfortable and I have even been tempted to shop the dealer bloke. DP insists it's not illegal to smoke in your own home but I looked it up and it is. He knows I hate it and hate the smell of tobacco in particular. After I went to bed it took ages to get to sleep even though I'm always tired at the mo having been only 2 weeks in my new job. Then I woke up at some point, and could hear him getting up from the sofa, closing windows and getting ready to come to bed. I looked at the time and it was 3am! I went to bed at 12 .

He didn't know that I was awake and he is still asleep now. I feel so shitty about this all, especially as last night he got all defensive when I asked him what day he got it, and accused me of having a problem (no shit!). I hinted heavily that I wanted sex, and that he could even go back to the PS3 and weed after, but he didn't seem keen and said "we can have sex anytime". (Yes, but it's been 2 days, something he can't usually handle as well as me!) When I asked him outright if he wanted sex, he said no I feel like this is the last straw as he chose having a smoke over sex with me?

I think what I hate the most is that for the first 4 months he didn't need to smoke at all and I don't see what's changed He knows I don't want to give him an ultimatum as that's a bit harsh and would breed resentment, but he has told me that he would give up smoking if he had to choose between it and me. I just don't see how that is going to happen without an ultimatum? He also said that me forcing him to agree to certain days was like having to sign a contract, but I know from experience that if I don't restrict it to that extent then he will take the piss (as he has buying it a week after he ran out this time). I feel trapped

Sorry it's long, feels good to get it off my chest. And thanks in advance for any replies, will be v grateful

OP posts:
Molesworth · 03/04/2010 12:14

Didn't want your thread to go unanswered although I'm not sure I can be of any help. It sounds like he doesn't understand why you object to his smoking tbh. I think you need to decide if this is a deal breaker and be upfront with him about how you feel. It's obviously something he wants to do and he doesn't see it as a big deal. What is it that you object to about it exactly? Is it the smell, the fact that it's illegal, the cost, the effect it has on him ...? Delivering an ultimatum without thinking this through carefully and then discussing it properly would probably be counterproductive. You haven't been together long and this doesn't sound like the best of starts, to be honest

2rebecca · 03/04/2010 12:16

I wouldn't live with a cannabis smoker. Why is giving an ultimatum asking someone to stop an illegal activity so awful?
If cannabis was found in my house I'd lose my job.
Up to you but I'd want him off the weed and definitely no weed in the house.
Have you somewhere else to go if you leave the house you got together?
He doesn't sound as though he has much respect for your opinions.

2rebecca · 03/04/2010 12:20

Also if he's still unemployed I'd be concerned about cannabis making him apathetic and unmotivated. It does sap your drive and ambition, as well as your money.
You started with a largely drug free employed bloke and have an unemployeed dopehead now who is in danger of becoming a cocklodger if he doesn't get a kick up the bum.

SilkyBreeks · 03/04/2010 12:36

My ex was just like this but with alcohol. I'm sorry to say, you should get out now. It sounds like you want different things from life and this will make you so unhappy if you stay with him - he is happy to be a bit of a stoner, it's not your thing at all, and that's a fundamental lifestyle difference IMO. Also, if he prefers to smoke/play games rather than have sex with you that is going to ruin your confidence. I know it's much easier said than done but if I could have my 20s back again there is no way I would have stayed with my ex, I wasted some of the best years of my life hoping he'd sober up. He didn't, he is still drinking and looks much older than his years - I actually didn't recognise him when I saw him recently and I was with him for three years!

Please don't make the same mistakes, you should be enjoying yourself not worrying about what he's doing all the time.

MaryJuana · 03/04/2010 12:40

Thanks so much for the replies... I know it was ridiculously long but wanted to emphasise how it's got worse little by little.

I feel that because I didn't object right at the start, it may be too late to put my foot down now.

I do wonder if he will slow down once he gets a job again. I'm not worried about him being unemployed for too long as he has never been before and he has already had lots of interviews including 2 this week. But I guess I think it has exacerbated the smoking.

I don't think he has much respect for my opinions on this matter either The trouble is I'm losing respect for him. When I suggested a list of when he could smoke he said I was being controlling he sees nothing wrong with it, his BIL and sister even smoke, and they have a 3 year old DS (but never when he is around of course). I just think it's wrong after you're past 21 and defo when you've got kids tbh... but we aren't there yet anyway [phew]

OP posts:
SilkyBreeks · 03/04/2010 13:01

He's not going to change, unfortunately. Or if he does, it'll be in his own sweet time (ten years? twenty?) and nothing to do with you, particularly as he has family with responsibilities and a similar lifestyle, so this will all seem totally normal to him. I don't think he can understand what bothers you about it, so he does just think you're trying to control him.

I know it's a horrible thought, but if you leave him now it is a win/win situation for you both long term. You will recover slowly and start to really enjoy life, and wonder what you ever stayed for, and you'll have loads of adventures and eventually meet someone else who you are on a more similar wavelength to and be really happy. He will carry on happily stoned and apathetic.
The MUCH less likely alternative is that he'll stop smoking and eventually you'll get back together, but don't leave thinking that will happen.

If you stay, you will end up deeply unhappy and resenting each other. Much better to part now before marriage, kids, feeling like life has passed you by. Think of all the things you'd like to do, what would you like from life? And then see if any of them are likely to happen while you live with an unemployed pot smoker...seriously, don't waste your time or your love on this situation. It's a shame as it sounds like you love each other, but sometimes that really isn't enough.

Sorry for the essay, your situation has reminded me so much of my own a few years ago. I really didn't think I'd ever get over him, but I had two fantastic years of being single, having loads of fun, learning about myself, and am now with a brilliant man and having a baby with him. If I'd ever managed to get pg with my ex (unlikely as he was too drunk most of the time) I know he wouldn't have been excited and supportive like my partner is, it would have been hard and lonely and I would have probably regretted it.

I know it's not what you want to hear but you can do this, honest. Good luck!

SugarMousePink · 03/04/2010 13:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaryJuana · 03/04/2010 13:19

It sounds terrible written down, I guess that's always the way.

I have started to think that asking him to stop and seeing what he does is rapidly becoming my only option. But he has said that if I gave him an ultimatum he would choose me, but would be unhappy about it. You are right I think SilkyBreeks, in that he doesn't understand what bothers me and therefore doesn't think it's a big deal. And to Molesworth, I think what does bother me is the smell and the illegality of it, not so much the cost (it's his money) or the effect on him. I haven't actually seen any effect on him. He really doesn't smoke a huge amount. The issue is that he thinks it's fine and I don't.

I'm not worried about him turning into an unemployed waster because we are both professionals and I know he likes having a large salary too much. He has never been unemployed before though and i know it has hit him hard, so the unemployment is having an effect in that sense. But he never smokes more than one small joint a night and he doesn't put that much in it. I know it sounds like I'm trying to defend it but I just want to emphasise that what I'm worried about isn't the effect on his behaviour but the way we aren't communicating about it. He's stubborn and it's very hard to get him to budge...

Again thanks for all your thoughts, I'm sorry that mine are so rambling.

OP posts:
zapostrophe · 03/04/2010 13:22

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Eurostar · 03/04/2010 13:23

Give him an ultimatum - why not? It's time he grew up and got motivated. It's absolutely fine for you to say that you can't live with his lifestyle and he must choose one or the other.

Who wants to spend their life with a PS3 playing stoner?

Don't mean to sound unsympathetic but if he's addicted and depressed he has to seek out help, it's not up to you to fix him, you're not an expert and you'll probably just end up enabling him.

Be glad you don't have children with him and get out before you do. There's been a few threads on here by women living with skunk addicted man - it's no life.

SilkyBreeks · 03/04/2010 13:28

"The issue is that he thinks it's fine and I don't."

I think this is it in a nutshell and this is why I don't think you'll be able to work this out. If he had a "problem" things might be different, but as he sees it smoking is just something he likes to do, and he can't see why it bothers you.

I really, really feel for you because I know what this is like. My ex has always worked, he never drank and drove, he wasn't violent or aggressive when he drank, but I just didn't want a life that revolved around alcohol, whereas he did and from what I understand he still does.

I'm sorry to be so negative about it, I just really believe that the sooner you make the break the sooner you can start to get over it. It's going to hurt but it will be worth it, and you will never meet the right person while you're with the wrong one.

SugarMousePink · 03/04/2010 13:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaryJuana · 03/04/2010 13:44

Everyone seems to be saying the same thing which has kind of shocked me.

Do you think I should show him this?

I think that if I did he would be annoyed that I came here for advice, forgetting that we have talked about it before and hardly got anywhere. The irony is that I enjoy reading mumsnet but up until now have felt a bit silly about posting as I'm quite young and have no kids. Today I finally felt like I had no other option, tho I'm talking to both my sisters as well about it

OP posts:
SugarMousePink · 03/04/2010 14:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Eurostar · 03/04/2010 14:10

I'm not sure that showing him would help. He sounds like he is in a typical smoker's denial "it's not illegal in your own home"...next he'll be telling you..."but it's just a herb.."

It's hard to lose his job but if his reaction is to smoke and play fantasy games, ask yourself, how's he going to react if down the line you have children to support and he comes up against the crap that life tends to throw at one?

Life puts difficult hurdles in our way all of the time and if you don't have someone who will battle them equally with you, you are not giving yourself a fair chance.

MaryJuana · 03/04/2010 14:15

Oh SugarMousePink thanks so much, you're really hitting the nail on the head. That's all exactly what I'm worried about. We have already done the Ikea though, a few weeks before we moved in (I moved from my own flat into his flat) ;)

I think I will only show him this if he still insists that I am being unreasonable to ask him to stop (I know he thinks I am). But I think that random women's opinions on the internet might wind him up. Also he'd be able to say that none of you know the situation properly - which is true, but surely writing it from my PoV is what matters in explaining it to other people because I'm the one who's unhappy.

OP posts:
Molesworth · 03/04/2010 14:17

"For me, the bigger issue is not the weed smoking, it's the fact that he's doing it despite the fact that you're unhappy about it! That sets off some major alarm bells about his behaviour and the way that he views you; especially if he handles you trying to talk to him about it by getting annoyed. It's a classic recipie for some passive-agressive control freakery!"

I agree with what SugarMousePink says here. You deserve better than this, MJ.

Eurostar · 03/04/2010 14:23

None of us know the situation properly but it's incredibly familiar to many of us.

If he does stop by - one of the most effective ways of finding a job is networking, speaking to any and everyone you know. Dealer friend is not going to help with this.

There may well be groups running in your area to help people who might be getting depressed through unemployment - this number is a good start to find help
Tel: 0300 123 2000
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Onabudget/Pages/Creditcrunchstresshelp.aspx

SugarMousePink · 03/04/2010 14:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaryJuana · 03/04/2010 16:30

Well, we had the talk. Long story short, it emerged that he had been planning on cutting down anyway because he knows I hate it. (But he didn't tell me in advance... typical man logic?!) That was why he didn't smoke on Wednesday, he says he had decided to never smoke in front of me, only on the weekends and not necessarily 2 nights which was our previous agreement. He also said that having made the agreement a couple of weeks ago, he expected us to try it for a few weeks to see if it worked and if I was still unhappy he would have given up anyway.

But without knowing any of this I jumped in at the start and gave him the ultimatum anyway, which he was unhappy about, but I think I made him see that although I knew he would choose me over the weed, there was no way (that I could see, without him telling me he had decided to stop further down the line anyway) for me to get him to do that without the ultimatum which he insists would make him resent me. So he apologised for not telling me about what he had decided to do - he says he didn't want to upset me but I think I managed to make him see that me finding out any other way is going to upset me more. We decided to have a 2 month trial period in which he cuts down.

We do love each other, and I am going to try to focus less on it until the 2 months is up. He knows just how much of a big deal it is to me now, and has assured me he has always planned to stop it before he has kids anyway.

So, will see how it goes... thanks for giving me the courage to say to him how I felt and the ultimatum.

Going to do something fun together for the rest of the day now...him giving me a driving lesson as I haven't driven since I passed my test 5 years ago and need to buy a car for work soon!

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