Don't give up. I am now 26, and just 3 months after turning 18, my friend and I were arrested. I have since had to go on with life while having 7 felony charges on my record. I was arrested in October just after starting my freshmen year of college. My friend and I were roommates and for the first time ever we were on our own, free to do what we want.
Well. . . we made some bad decisions. I had no idea how serious everything I was doing was until I was arrested. I ended up finishing my freshmen year while having ongoing court dates throughout it. I missed my fall semester due to serving my time, but was released in December and got right back to school in the Spring. At the time I was unsure if there was even a point to going to school knowing I now had to live with these 7 felonies. But I knew what I wanted to do for a career. I had known what I wanted to do since I was in high school.
THIS is the most important thing. You have to find something you truly love. Something you would be doing even if you weren't being paid for it. For me, this was graphic design.
If you can find something you are truly passionate about, you will find ways to make it work. No matter what your situation might be.
I finished college one semester behind when I originally should have. I graduated with a Bachelors majoring in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing. Although I was unsure if having my degree would even benefit me because of my background, I stuck it out because I loved design, and hell what else would've I done? Just quit? No.
I graduated and within half a year I started my career as a graphic designer. My employer overlooked my background as it had happened so long ago by then, and I had stayed out of trouble since. They hired me because of my talent.
If you can find something you are good at, and that you enjoy, find a way to get paid for it. Whether its doing something while being self-employed, or working with an actual employer. If you are good at whatever it is your doing, your background can be overlooked.