AWOL/ ELS please help me I have no idea what is going on?

left the army 3 years ago right out of basic training. I never made it to my unit. I was in Airborne training in Fort Benning when I was addicted to gambling. I gambled every day and lost everything. I owed a substantial amount which I requested a 10 day leave to borrow money to pay back. When I was granted this I went AWOL. I have never returned. I have been pulled over recieved 2 tickets. I have filed my taxes. When I first left they overpaid me and the government put a collection on my taxes which they took from me during my tax return? I have ped background checks for employment. You get depressed when you know you made the wrong decision (AWOL) so one night I was drunk and got into a barfight got arrested went to jail recieved a minor misdemeanor and a fine. ALL of this while being AWOL. I called the army to turn myself in and the e-4 or e-5 I spoke with worked for the army apprehension team. He said it shows me seperated in 2005. I never got discharged. What is going on?????