Can drugs turn someone into a sociopath?

Answer 1

Perhaps one or two are, but I doubt that the conditions are in any way related. I would argue that a sociopath is actually less likely to become an addict. They want power and independence and addiction is a weakness that they are not likely to succumb to. Often addiction is due to guilt, a way of escaping their own remorse or shortcomings, things which sociopaths do not feel. The difference is that addicts feel too much, and so use drugs or alcohol as a way of escaping those feelings (generally) whereas sociopaths do not feel enough and so would not need these things. You have to look at the reasons why people fall into addiction and how they deal with it. If an addict is frequently trying to 'clean up' then you have to wonder why, the chances are they know that they are hurting people and feel bad about it. The addiction overrides their other feelings, remorse, guilt, and even love, but the feelings are still there. Drug addicts have a conscience, they have empathy, but the need for a fix is too overwhelming and can push all other thoughts to the sidelines.

Answer 2

No. If the the anti-social activity did not begin in childhood and continue uninterrupted into adulthood, whatever symptoms you believe you are witnessing are not sociopathy.

To be clear, and neither callous or flip to your legitimate question, the prevalence and perceived seriousness of sociopathy (clinically known as Anti-Social Personality Disorder) is grossly over-estimated.

Anti-Social Personality Disorder is a diagnosis for a person who has established a pattern of behavior evincing a callous disregard for the the rights of other beginning in adolescence or late childhood and continuing into adulthood. The patient must have shown symptoms of Behavior Disorder before age 15.

Answer 3

Not necessarily.

Answer 4

Yes indeed.