The question, “How long does Adderall stay in your system?” can have several correct answers, depending in part on why it is being asked. In today’s post, we discuss common reasons for asking this question and explore the range of answers that can result.
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What Is Adderall?
Adderall is one of the most frequently prescribed medications for patients who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also often used to treat people who have narcolepsy.
Millions of people use Adderall on a prescription basis, but the drug’s popularity isn’t limited to those who take it for legitimate medical purposes. Adderall abuse is unfortunately common, primarily among college students and young adults.
Unlike those who drink or take certain substances to achieve a recreational high, most people who abuse Adderall do so in hopes of getting a cognitive boost to enhance their studying or allow them to work longer.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?
There are two common reasons why someone might want to know how long Adderall stays in your system:
- They want to know how long they will continue to feel the drug’s effects
- They will be taking a drug screen and they want to know how long they will continue to test positive for Adderall after the last time they used it.
Metabolizing Adderall
Let’s address the first reason first (how long you might feel the effects of Adderall):
- The effects of a standard Adderall tablet will usually begin to dissipate in about four hours.
- If you’ve taken Adderall XL, which is an extended-release version of the drug, you can expect the strongest effects to last for around 12 hours.
This doesn’t mean that all traces of the drug will be out of your system this quickly, though:
- Adderall has a half-life of 10-14 hours. A half-life is the amount of time it takes for your body to process and eliminate (or metabolize) half of a substance from your system.
- For example, if you take a 20mg Adderall tablet, in 10-14 hours there will be about 10mg remaining in your system. After another 10-14 hours, that amount will have been reduced by half again, leaving 5mg still in your system.
- It typically takes four to five half-lives for a substance to fall below what experts consider to be a clinically significant amount. Using this formula, we can estimate that Adderall will stay in your system for about 40-72 hours, or around two to three days.
Of course, the 40-72 hour range is just an estimate. The exact amount of time that Adderall remains in your system can be influenced by a variety of personal factors, such as your age and weight, as well as the amount and frequency of your past Adderall use.
Types of Drug Tests
Now let’s move on to the second reason (how long Adderall will show up on a drug screen).
In addition to being influenced by the factors we just listed, the length of time you may test positive for Adderall can also depend on which type of drug screen you take:
- Saliva tests will usually detect Adderall for 24-48 hours after you’ve taken the drug.
- Urine tests will also usually return a positive for Adderall if you’ve used it within the previous 24-48 hours.
- A blood test may be able to find evidence of Adderall use for 48-72 hours after your most recent use.
- Hair follicle tests have the longest reach, with the ability to detect Adderall use for up to 90 days (three months) after your last dose.
If you’re required to take a drug test for employment-related purposes, there’s a good chance that you’ll be taking a five-panel screen. This type of test is designed to detect the following five substances:
- THC (the primary psychoactive element in marijuana)
- Opioids (which can include heroin, fentanyl, and the primary active ingredients in most prescription painkillers)
- Phencyclidine (which is commonly referred to as PCP or angel dust)
- Cocaine (including both powder cocaine and crack)
- Amphetamine (a drug that is often referred to as speed)
Adderall contains equal parts of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, both of which are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. This means that if you have recently used Adderall, you may test positive for amphetamine on a drug screen.
That shouldn’t be a problem if you have a current prescription for the medication. But if you’ve been using Adderall that was prescribed to someone else – or that you purchased directly from an illicit source – you may have little recourse.
Is Adderall Safe?
A third reason why someone might want to know how long Adderall stays in your system is that they’ve been developed side effects after taking it. Knowing when the medication will be out of their body can give them an idea of when they’ll start to feel better.
Adderall can cause both physical and psychological side effects. Most of these effects are relatively mild, but some can be quite severe.
The medication’s more common physical side effects include:
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Restlessness
- Blurred vision
- Stomach ache
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Appetite loss
- Insomnia
Less common, but more severe adverse physical effects of Adderall can include:
- Elevated body temperature
- Increased blood pressure
- Abnormal heart rate
- Heart attack
- Stroke
From a psychological perspective, the most common side effects can include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Disturbing nightmares
In rare cases, Adderall may cause intense psychological stress, such as:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Mania
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
Adderall abuse can also lead to addiction. If you want to stop using this medication, but discover that you are unable to do so, you may benefit from professional help.
Untreated addiction to any substance can have a devastating impact on virtually every part of your life. But when you get the care you need, you can build a foundation for the healthier future you deserve.
Recommended: How To Stop Adderall Addiction
Learn More About Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment in the Atlanta Area
Serenity Grove a full continuum of customized care for adults who have become addicted to Adderall and other prescription medications.
Your options at our drug rehab near Atlanta include medically managed detox, residential treatment, and three levels of outpatient care. In each of these programs, you will have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with a team of skilled and compassionate professionals.
To learn more about how we can help you or someone that you care about, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
