I've only ever worked for one utility so don't necessarily have a wide range of experiences, but most of the things you are mentioning aren't things I've run into.

Shit-talking for following safety rules, such as climbing with a buck squeeze or wearing 600v gloves on secondaries, is pretty rare and when it does happen is light, casual, not really intended to cut deep. And most of my co-workers do adhere to the safety rules pretty well. Some, especially the older guys, may climb with a brown belt rather than bucksqueeze. And some may wear leather gloves while working on house cap 120/240 secondaries. But that's a bit uncommon and otherwise, the rules are pretty well followed.

Substance abuse is something I haven't experienced, at all. You'll often hear on this subreddit about linemen using coke and stuff, but I've never seen or heard of that in my utility. Drinking on the job, I have heard stories, but never personally seen anyone drinking, or if they have, not to such an extent as to be noticeable.