Think about how many times a week you pull out your credit card to make a purchase. Then ask yourself: How many of those purchases would you have been able to make if you didn't have plastic?

According to a new poll by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the answer for one in five people is apparently, "Not many." 20% of respondents said they wouldn't be able to make ends meet without credit. Meanwhile, another 22% said they would have to make substantial changes to their lifestyle if asked to live without a credit card.

The NFCC reminds consumers that, even if they're not currently in financial trouble, being dependent on credit could signal problems down the road.

Relying on credit to get by could mean bigger financial problems in the future. Joe Raedle / Getty Images "Credit should be used as a convenience, not to supplement income," said Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for the NFCC, in a statement. "It is a warning sign if a person is not able to manage his or her daily lifestyle without the use of credit cards, as this is a dangerous habit that could lead to serious financial distress."

The good news is that many Americans who believe they'd be just fine without a credit card is still higher than those who say they can't live without one: 27% say they'd be able to maintain the exact same lifestyle without credit — in fact, that number has increased by four percentage points since the last NFCC poll in 2012 — while 32% say they may have to make a few adjustments, but would basically be fine.

Other studies also highlight some good news on America's credit front: The average credit card debt in the U.S. is decreasing, and the average American's FICO score has reached an all-time high.

All that to say that it is possible to use credit cards wisely and build a stellar credit history in the process. But if you feel like you're starting to develop an unhealthy reliance on plastic, there are ways to nip it in the bud: Take a tip from this woman who went to the extreme by literally putting her cards on ice.