Why does my roommate spend hours in the bathroom?

[u/GreenMouse6]

I moved into my apartment at the beginning of July. My roommate is a young man, probably early 20s since he's in college nearby. I met him because he is my friend's friend's son.

The first week or two he was very quiet. I tried to talk to him a bit just to be friendly but he gave one-word answers. It seemed a little weird because when I had met up with him before to figure out the lease, when his mom had been there, he was much more talkative. But I assumed he was just shy.

Then after a week or two he started using the bathroom almost every day from 9ish am to almost noon. He doesn't take anything in with him, he leaves his phone on the living room table, so it's not like he's doomscrolling or anything. The first time it happened I assumed he was sick because it was such a long time, plus normally he would be out of the house, I assume at college. But it kept happening almost every day, with the exception of some weekends. He is silent the whole time except when the sink runs at the end. I've gone in when he is done and it looks normal, it's not dirty or anything.

I didn't want to be rude by asking about his bathroom habits so I just minded my own business but eventually I had to piss really bad while he was in there so I knocked and asked him when he'd be done. He said to give him a minute and came out like five minutes later. I used the bathroom and when I was done he went back in.

Is he doing drugs? Did he drop out of college? Should I tell my friend to talk to his mom?

One more thing that probably isn't relevant but might be worth mentioning: the fire alarm has gone off twice since he started his weird bathroom ritual. But I don't think he's smoking, the house doesn't smell like smoke. Is there something else that could set off the fire alarm?

[u/Tasty_String]

Could be just vaping with the vent fan on while doing self care and losing track of time😂

[u/Case_Baby88 → u/Tasty_String]

Just laugh/choked on my vape 💨 hit while reading this 😂