A few years back I was in a pretty bad car wreck. I had just started chatting here and there a few weeks before online. After the wreck I couldn't really do much beyond sitting around the house and healing. So I sat myself in front of my computer and chatted for hours on end. Literally 6+ hours a day. Looking back, it was both good and bad. I met some great people, and they really helped me recover in a way. But I didn't hang out with my friends much. It took me awhile to stop going to chat rooms, but I was glad when I did. Now I message people occassionally. I only talk to one person from those days and he is a very dear friend to me.
Anyway, enough of my story. Like tekaweni said, you have to watch your AIM usage. Don't get sucked in. Make sure to spend time during the day doing things you enjoy.
It sounds like you're trying to make some changes in your life and I konw that is not easy. Congrats on how far you've come so far. Focus on the recovery to your addictions. Once you think you are ready, look for a job. The car will come, as will the other perks in life. Thing is, you have to make an effort. Things won't just land in your lap.
Life sometimes is a struggle, and you've just got to kick its ass
Good luck!