I look at it this way Tink.
I spent 20 years getting wasted...it's a good thing it doesn't take 20 years for the rewards to start to be apparent.
The rewards will come - no one would stay sober if that wasn't the case
About loneliness tho - I felt that too - but I realiised I was looking for a partner the same way I looked for a drink - as a problem solver.
so I put off the dating thing, and started solving my own problems.
When someone special came along (and they did within that first year) I was ready to share my life with them, not just my problems...you know?
D