"i started taking this medication about a year after i&#039;d been on bupropion with no lessening of depression.  after 6 months on oxcarbazepine minimum dosage i stopped drinking.  had to increase dosage to 900 mg/day (i&#039;m one who really doesn&#039;t like having to take medicines). i&#039;ve been clean/sober for 18 months and tried to get off both medicines mentioned in a week.  nearly relapsed so went back to former dosages.  doctor suggested reducing dosage of bupropion over a year.  i decided to stay on full dosage unless i lose my job/insurance.  no more suicidal thoughts or that feeling like my brain is going down a dirt road.  i&#039;m not sure i&#039;d label myself bipolar, but this does seem to help, a lot."