Boonen tests positive for cocaine - AGAIN

[Caroline]

He is an idiot but I don't think this should have been spread like this to the media, as it is really not a public issue.
If he had been blood doping, yes OK, let us know, but the cocaine news were not necessary. Boonen is a very talented rider but he has a bad habit, just like he could have been gambling, or being an alcoholic, however, it really isn't our problem.
I think he does need help though and I hope he gets better.

[ny biker]

He is an idiot but I don't think this should have been spread like this to the media, as it is really not a public issue.
If he had been blood doping, yes OK, let us know, but the cocaine news were not necessary. Boonen is a very talented rider but he has a bad habit, just like he could have been gambling, or being an alcoholic, however, it really isn't our problem.
I think he does need help though and I hope he gets better.

Well, his team suspended him, and if they didn't give a reason then there would just be lots of rumors, which could be worse than the truth.

The general feeling seems to be that he needs to forget about his career, at least for now, so he can address his substance problems. I agree, I hope he's able to overcome them.

[Possegal]

In addition to the indefinite suspension, the Tour directors have told him that yet again they won't let him ride in the TdF, and the UCI is looking to take action against him.

[ilima]

Well, his team suspended him, and if they didn't give a reason then there would just be lots of rumors, which could be worse than the truth.

The general feeling seems to be that he needs to forget about his career, at least for now, so he can address his substance problems. I agree, I hope he's able to overcome them.

Do you think he has a substance abuse problem? I don't do illegal drugs (I stick to alcohol), but I do believe that people can be recreational drug users. I don't buy the adage that everyone who uses is an addict or abuser.

I know 'society' demands those who get busted go through drug rehab programs. But it's just for show for many.

[ny biker]

Based on this from velonews.com, yes, I think he has a problem.

Speaking on Belgian TV show Sporza on Saturday night, the 2005 world champion admitted that he had a problem.

"The night before the drug test, I went out," he said. "I stayed for a while and I drank. At some stage I must have taken something. Then I had a blackout.

"I think I have a problem. After spending three to four months working, when I go out I probably over-step the mark and I become someone else. For 364 days a year, it's perfect. I try to be an exemplary citizen. But the day that I drink too much, something that I don't do often, I change. I will now seek help."

[ilima]

Based on this from velonews.com, yes, I think he has a problem.

Speaking on Belgian TV show Sporza on Saturday night, the 2005 world champion admitted that he had a problem.

"The night before the drug test, I went out," he said. "I stayed for a while and I drank. At some stage I must have taken something. Then I had a blackout.

"I think I have a problem. After spending three to four months working, when I go out I probably over-step the mark and I become someone else. For 364 days a year, it's perfect. I try to be an exemplary citizen. But the day that I drink too much, something that I don't do often, I change. I will now seek help."

But couldn't that be him going through the motions he knows he has to do? Give the people what they want, tell them what they want to hear.

[ny biker]

Well since I don't know the guy, I can only go by what's in the news. But if someone knows he is subject to drug testing 24x7, and he knows getting caught will have a negative effect on his employment, and that's not enough to keep him from taking illegal drugs, and he gets caught more than once, and he takes the drugs knowing that he's on probation from a previous drug charge, then I think something is wrong with his ability to control his behavior.

[Possegal]

There is sort of a general rule of thumb - "is what you are doing adversely impacting your life?" If the answer is yes, and yet you persist in doing it, then there is a problem. This is two TdF's he's been booted from. He's in danger of losing his career. My take is, that is kind of the definition of a problem.