Drinking Culture: A Vicious Circle

A recent study by the University of Bath has warned the government that it's anti-drinking campaigns across tv, radio and other advertising mediums could backfire on a huge scale.
"Extreme inebriation is often seen as a source of personal esteem and social affirmation amongst young people", said lead researcher Professor Christine Griffin.

As someone who has been in both rugby and american football teams in the last two years at univeristy level, the drinking culture that surrounds sports teams is nothing new to me. As far as I know, this culture extends from small local teams of most sports, to semi-professional and professional teams; yet, regardless of the sport, and usually regardless of the level, drinking culture sometimes becomes more important that the action on the field.
Bath Univeristy's research is truly nothing new, but it does show that someone is willing to make a point I feel hasn't been covered anywhere near enough, especially by universities and colleges.
This in itself is a dangerous problem; universities are understandibly protective of their reputations and the elements which set them apart from their peers, such as their sports facilities and the athletes they 'produce', however this protective nature seems to tether these institutions to their own pride, as their teams feed their drinking reputations further.
Now, don't misunderstand my point here, not every team beleives in excessive drinking, but a good 85% of the teams who I have ever spoken to, competed against/with, or worked with have worn their drinking fraternities like a badge of honour.
As someone who has been on the end of many a messy circle, I know that in many cases, 'circles' (when teams sit in 'ring' and play drinking games under 'drinking rules') are harmless, and are a good laugh; but I know of alot of teams who view drinking with 'the team' as compulsory, not voluntary, and a means of determining the status of players within 'the team'.
I know of plenty of people who, like myself, chose not to join my university's rugby union team, mainly because the reputation for the teams drinking escapades was and is so intimidating, that I wanted no part of it. Who would want to be part of a team that beleives that drinking so much that you are out of your mind is a 'great' night out. Bullshit ideology like this is the kind of cancer that is rotting sports teams across the country, and is promoting and glamourising excessive drinking as a means of social ascension.
If you've even a drop of courage and have found yourself caught in the drinking culture of your team, ask yourself this: is fucking your body up for a team really worth it.

I know where I stand.

D R-Lincoln