They have two options to get out from under their overbearing load of debt. They can file for bankruptcy and wipe out what they owe, or try to restructure their debt by consolidating bills and paying off debts over time, and eventually rebuilding their lives. He or she still repays all of the debt, but tries to manage it with a reasonable pay-back plan.
Bankruptcy is the more traumatic route.
It's like surgery, removing the debt cancer in one fell swoop. But the shadow of the bankruptcy will hang over the debtor's credit record for 10 years and make it more difficult to obtain new credit. Diverting 25 percent or more of income to pay overdue debts. Making only minimum payments on credit card balances and frequently incurring late charges and penalties. Falling behind on mortgage and auto loan payments.