What a sad story. I was not a CC member at the time and it is awful to hear about this.
An interesting theory about young men and drinking is put forth in the excellent documentary, available on Netflix by the way, called “The Mask You Live In”, and it is that boys and men are taught by society that showing love for their male friends is taboo because people might accuse them (gasp!) of being gay. When they are drinking, however, they can put their arms around each other and say “I love you, man” and express the affection they keep inside. When they are drunk, it is socially acceptable to do what girls and women are always permitted to do, hug, say they love each other, and tell each other what wonderful friends they are.
It’s a theory I never thought of, but when I watched this documentary I found it fascinating. The documentary itself is all about the messages and expectations sent to boys and men and what it does to them and to our society as a whole. I highly recommend it!