[lvs]

I've been through this. Actually I was well-supported by my department and switched groups even later than that -- too late if you ask anyone. When you're motivated and on the right project, you can do a PhD in only a couple of years. Grad school can be extremely inefficient, and we all know that.

The larger question is whether you need a PhD to do what you want in the world. But don't get too down on academia because of one bad advisor. (There are many better reasons!)

Edit: To your political question, my old boss and I don't talk by design. I've found much better supporters since then, and some bridges should be burned. Your boss may seem like your whole world right now, but that's mostly Stockholm syndrome talking. There are many supportive people -- you just have to ask around.