Sagz,
I have been there, it is horrible, but if you can manage to get out, it makes all the difference.
yes jobs maybe scarce at the moment, but life is too short to waste it in a job you don't like.
get a pice of paper and write down every job you would ever like to do, even those which are probably unrealistic, when you look down to list you may see something that you could do as a business.
eg if vet appears on the list, it may be a bit late in life to do a seven year vetinary course, (although never impossible, my cousin did it later in life) but this may mean you like animals so maybe look to work with animals, dog walking, pet shop, kennels cattery, or even start your own business.
it might sound phsyco babel but it worked for me, i'm now and art dealer and i no longer go to work, as i enjoy what i do so much, it isn't work.
good luck it will get better.