I agree with your analysis of reasons for cc debt and can confirm it from my own personal history.  Dental problems and car trouble were the biggest sources of increases, but vacations added their share when my son was 8-13.  I only finally got rid of cc debt with a 2003 re-fi.  Fortunately I sold the house in L.A. in Nov. 2005 and moved to Arkansas, free of cc debt.

However unfortunate the "spending spree" remark may seem the bulk of the diary is useful advise.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."