Adderall is a prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy a daytime sleeping disorder.[1] Adderall comes in two forms immediate release and extended release.[1,2] While extended-release will stay in your system longer than immediate-release Adderall, several additional factors affect this. Different types of drug tests also have different detection windows.
This article explores how long Adderall stays in your system. You will learn.
- How Adderall is metabolized
- Different factors that affect how long Adderall stays in your system
- How long Adderall shows up on a drug test
- How to detox from Adderall safely
If you or a loved one are struggling with Adderall abuse or addiction. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at First Step Behavioral Health today to learn about your treatment options.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription medication primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is a stimulant that contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts.[1] These substances work by affecting certain chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
The medication is typically taken orally in the form of tablets or capsules. It helps improve focus, concentration, and attention span in individuals with ADHD. For those with narcolepsy, Adderall can help increase wakefulness and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness.
Common side effects of Adderall include:[1,2]
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weight loss
- Irritability
- Increased heart rate
Adderall should only be used by people who have a prescription. However, many people, particularly teenagers and young adults, abuse Adderall with the intention of getting high or staying awake.[3] Adderall misuse is dangerous for a number of reasons, including the potential for the development of dependence and addiction.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in the Body?
Adderall is intended for oral administration. After being absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, it undergoes processes in the liver where it can either be deactivated or transformed into metabolites such as hippuric and benzoic acids. These metabolites are subsequently excreted from the body via urine.
How long the effects of Adderall last depends greatly on the type of Adderall taken. Immediate-release Adderall lasts about 4-6 hours while Adderall XR lasts around 12.
The elimination of a drug from the body typically requires approximately 4-5 half-life periods. The term “half-life” refers to the time needed to eliminate half of a single dose of a substance from the body. Adderall has a half-life ranging from 9 to 14 hours, meaning it remains in the body for an average of 36 to 70 hours.[4]
In most people, Adderall clears the body within three days.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Urine, Saliva, Blood, and Hair?
Medical professionals or employers may use drug tests to screen for recent drug use. Adderall can show up on various types of drug tests, including urine, saliva, blood, and hair.
Urine Testing
Urine tests are the most widely used type of drug test. They screen for the metabolites produced by a drug which tend to stay in urine longer than the substance itself. These tests can detect Adderall in urine for about four days. Extended-release versions may be detectable in urine for up to seven days.[5,6]
Saliva Testing
Saliva testing is fairly uncommon because it has a short detection window. Adderall can show up in saliva 20 minutes after use and may remain detectable for up to 48 hours.
Blood Testing
Blood testing can only be performed by a medical professional and offers a very short window of detection, so it is rarely used. However, it may be used to confirm intoxication in some situations. Adderall can be detected in blood for up to 24 hours.
Hair Testing
During a hair test, the test administrator collects a hair sample and tests the follicles for common drugs of abuse. Adderall can show up in a hair sample as soon as one week after use and for up to 90 days.
Factors that Affect How Long Adderall Stays in Your System
While Adderall detection times depend heavily on which type of Adderall is being used (IR OR XR), there are several additional factors that kind of affect how long Adderall stays in your system, including:
- Frequency of use
- Length of use
- Dosage
- Age, weight, and body composition
- Using Adderall with other drugs or alcohol (polysubstance abuse)
- Certain co-occurring mental or physical health conditions
- Genetics
- Liver or kidney impairment
- Urine pH
Generally, people who have been using Adderall and higher doses more frequently and for longer periods will have more Adderall built up in their system, leading to longer detection times compared to a one-time or infrequent Adderall user. Additionally, people with a higher urine pH may eliminate Adderall more slowly than someone with a low urine pH.
Detoxing from Adderall
Suddenly discontinuing Adderall can result in withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, depression, increased appetite, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and cravings.[7] However, if you have been abusing Adderall, quitting is the first step toward getting it out of your system and breaking the habit.
Gradually reducing dosage under professional guidance is common, allowing the body to adjust gradually and minimizing the severity of withdrawal effects. Seeking help from a medical detox center can help you safely discontinue Adderall and cope with any withdrawal symptoms that arise.
Get Treatment for Adderall Abuse and Addiction
First Step Behavioral Health is a licensed dual-diagnosis long-term addiction treatment facility that is accredited by the Joint Commission. We focus on the physiological rebalancing of the individual through medical, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual care.
Our drug detox process utilizes carefully selected medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, facilitating a smoother and more tolerable transition. These medications are administered under medical supervision, ensuring safety and effectiveness for both inpatient and outpatient participants.
Each client’s journey begins with a Comprehensive Nursing assessment and Evaluation, admission urine drug screening, Medical History & Physical Assessment, Initial Psychiatric Evaluation, Clinical Interview, and an intake process.
To learn more about our treatment programs or to get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please contact us today.
References:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Adderall® CII (Dextroamphetamine Saccharate, Amphetamine Aspartate, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate and Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets)
- FDA: Adderall XR
- Johns Hopkins University: Adderall abuse on the rise among young adults, Johns Hopkins study suggests
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine
- University of Rochester Medical Center: Amphetamine Screen (Urine)
- NIH: Urinary excretion of d-amphetamine following oral doses in humans: implications for urine drug testing
- Springer Link: Amphetamine Withdrawal
