Breaks are good! I had a spontaneous break, didn't realize how long I was gone until I saw my notifications were all at least 6 days old. Long breaks are good, too. Haven't done that since August.
I can't imagine living with someone like that, and I've been in some pretty shitty relationships. I would think that divorcing the wife would turn the husband's life right-side up if things are that bad. Then again, I only know the entertaining aspects of their lives that you share. There could be lots of boring sweetness in between the chaos.