Is "taking a break" really a temporary permanent separation?

I always assumed a “break” was the end. It was just the way of easing into it without having to say “break-up.” Recently, I heard someone talking about having her boy friend take a break so he could work on his issues, and then come back, if successful, to be more of an equal partner in the relationship.

Have you ever “taken a break” and then gotten back together and had it stay together? Or has it always ended in a break up, even if you got back together a few times before the break became permanent?

Do you think people sincerely believe it’s a temporary thing, or is it a way from hiding the fact that it really is permanent?