Final Advice for Space Cadets  It goes from one joint to another
It goes from one joint to another    TIBIA [I thought bar hoppers]
"Filthy" dough   LUCRE ["filthy lucre" is/was a common expression]
Creeping joints   KNEES
Piano players    HANDS
Ready followers?   SETGO [I thought willing advocates]
Pin cushion?    MAT [in wrestling]
Dispossesor?    EXORCIST
Doughnut for the road    SPARE
Big name in compacts    ESTEE [I thought cars] 

GRASPINGATSTRAWS, suggesting desperation, doesn't seem to fit the other theme answers which suggest "being out of it."  
NOTES:
/    SLASH   [it's a virgule, but 
slash has become more popular]
Theme:
In Music Theory...   INLALALAND [
la refers to a musical sound]