Eventually fell in with a bunch of hippies, of all things, did a bunch of yoga, went to college and discovered something I was actually passionate about (environmental stuff, in my case), and very slowly turned things around with the help of kind friends and patient professors. Late 20s were better, 30s were great.
Nearly 40 now and things are good, but I wouldn't have survived that era if not for the community I happened to find. It was hard, especially as an introverted, nerdy type.