Not everybody realizes how deep the waters are on time to avoid getting in trouble. Have you ever been trapped in a rip current?
I had read the 'slippery slope' concept in Shirley Glass' book and she really does a good job of showing how easy it is not to realize things until you are in the middle of it. Or even beyond.
"You don't throw a whole life away just 'cause it's banged up a little"
Tom Smith in "Seabiscuit"