hi glyon! nice to meet you.
I'm sorry you're not feeling well and I hope the doctor helps. have you taken B vitamins? They helped me feel better but I know there is a wide range of what can happen, health wise, so the doctor knows best!
I'm in a very similar weight-gain boat related to drinking. I am happy to tell you I've lost about 15 pounds since I stopped drinking 41 days ago. I didn't really change much about my eating habits, either.
Friend wise, it sounds like others have good recommedations about AA and such. Maybe volunteering is another way to meet new people? I have been surprised to realize many people don't drink as much as I thought they did when I was drinking. I had plenty drinking-only friends, though, too, so I relate to that and I know it can be super difficult to meet people when you're not used to socializing sober . . . the community here helps a lot and I'm slowly making progress getting into my skin again . . . you will too!