Suave

Let me be at least one of the people who points out that no, you're not a total loser. Strike that word from your vocabulary, and it could help you quite a bit. In order to be a loser, you need the possibility of being a "winner"; there is no such thing in life. This first part of my advice is what I call "stop giving a shit". Don't stop giving a shit about yourself, or your family, or your friends or future friends, but stop giving a shit about what society says you want.

This part is "why are you giving a shit?" First the job: obviously everyone needs a job in our society to live comfortably, but you don't need an amazingly prestigious job to be happy. Now are you despairing over your lack of employment because you need money to live, or because you won't be able to get some 75k/year job? If the second reason even comes into the equation, ignore it; when you start to consider that second reason, start humming "Tub Thumping" by Chumbawumba; this is now your method of coping with unrequired thought processes. The song can kill a working brain in 0.5 seconds flat. Also, why do you want your friends back? Do you still like them and want to hang out with them, or do you just want to have friends for the sake of having friends? It's a harsh question, but one that bears asking; if your answer is the second, then engage yourself in our coping method until the urges are banished from your memory.

And now, "should you give a shit about what I'm telling you?" Yes, I think you should at least consider what I'm saying. I know a lot of people don't agree with the way I view the world, but I do believe I have some advice in here that can work for even other-thinking persons.

It looks like you're started on the right track by curbing your drinking and drug use (they're not good activities to partake in alone anyways), and looking for a job. Just as advice from me, if you can find a job where you create something, whether it be physical or theoretical, or strategic, or whatever it is, I believe the feeling of having accomplished something while at work will seriously improve your self-esteem and help you in all aspects of your life. A huge amount can rest on your self-esteem. If you feel great about yourself, you'll have more occupational success, and you'll feel like meeting people, and doing whatever you believe is necessary to get what you (not what society) wants for yourself.

Sorry, had to edit this one bit in here and don't know where to put it: figure out what YOU want. Not what your parents, uncles, past friends, and teachers have told you that you want, but what you honestly can say you want. Start with that basic stuff, and then deal with the societal expecation bullshit later.

I'm sure this looks preachy, and it may not be a masterpiece of compassionate art, but I hope you find something of value in here. Whether you have or not though, good luck, and remember; this is just a phase. Things can easily get better no matter how bleak the current outlook may be.