The question of how long Adderall stays in your system does not have one easy answer. It depends on many factors related to dosage amounts and frequency, a person’s physical type and history, and the type of testing done.
Adderall is a drug classified in the amphetamine family that stimulates the central nervous system. Physicians commonly prescribe Adderall for patients with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The individuals often have trouble staying focused and paying attention to one task. Adderall, taken in pill form, helps a person feel calmer and more focused.
Adderall also helps people who suffer from narcolepsy, which is a sleeping disorder. People with narcolepsy fall into unexpected bouts of sleep. When taken at the proper dosage, Adderall can help patients focus on their goals and have the proper amount of energy they need.
The Lifespan of Adderall in the Body
How long Adderall stays in your system depends partly on its half-life. The half-life of Adderall ranges from 10 to 14 hours after a dosage is taken. Half-life means the amount of time that half of a drug remains in a person’s system. Adderall contains different types of amphetamines. One is dextroamphetamine, which has a half-life of 10-12 hours. The other is called levoamphetamine, and its half-life is 11-14 hours. After 72 hours, Adderall typically completely exits the body.
Many factors influence how long Adderall stays in your system. One factor includes whether a person takes immediate release or extended-release pills. While the drug may be detectable after a specific amount of time in one person, it may no longer be found when testing someone else. Some of the factors that help influence the detection of Adderall include the following:
Food and Water Intake: How quickly Adderall is absorbed into the bloodstream can be affected by when a person last ate and how much they consumed. Adderall often contributes to dehydration in the body, which affects how quickly it is absorbed.
Body Type: A person’s height and weight can factor into absorption rates. Someone at a higher weight than others absorbs the medication more quickly. This results in a lower detectable amount of Adderall in the system.
Amount and frequency of dosage: How high the dosage amount is and how often it is taken influence how long Adderall stays in your system. As well, it will remain more detectable in someone who has taken the medication daily for long periods of time versus someone who uses it occasionally or for a short amount of time.
Liver and Kidney Functions: These organs aid in the process of ridding the body of certain substances. When the liver and kidney perform optimally, they are more successful at helping remove Adderall from a person’s body. The process becomes slowed down when organ functions perform at suboptimal levels.
Genetics: As they do with so many physical factors in a person’s life, genetics can play a role in Adderall absorption and detection. Some people’s genetic makeup causes them to process medications slower or faster than others.
PH Levels: Levels of PH in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts can determine how long Adderall stays in the system. A higher PH level can cause the kidneys to remove the medication at a slower rate of speed.
The Type of Testing Used to Detect Adderall Influences the Results
The answer to the question of how long Adderall stays in your system varies based on the type of testing done. Different testing for Adderall in a person’s system has varying levels of detection rates. Testing can be done via urine, blood, saliva, and hair samples.
Urine testing: This can detect the presence of Adderall as quickly as two hours after the dosage has been taken. A positive test result can happen for up to four days after ingestion.
Blood testing: The quickest detection of Adderall comes from a blood test, which can happen as fast as a few minutes after taking the drug. A positive result will occur for approximately 24 hours after the dosage. This method of testing is not common, as it is considered invasive. It can be done to test for an overdose or when a person is not compliant with other types of testing.
Saliva testing: Although not commonly used, testing saliva can show the presence of Adderall as quickly as 20 minutes after usage. Results will show up to 48 hours after dosage.
Hair testing: A hair sample provides the best results for long-term usage, detecting Adderall for up to three months. It does not prove reliable for detecting recent usage
If You Are Concerned About How Long Adderall Stays in Your System
If testing for Adderall has become a concern or event in a person’s life, it may indicate an addiction has taken hold. Frequent reasons for Adderall testing include drug testing by employers, the court system, and schools. If you suspect that you or someone you love has developed an addiction to Adderall, talk to a doctor or substance use disorder treatment program. Having a serious medical condition like Adderall addiction makes getting help quickly important.
Adderall Addiction Treatment in California
Has an addiction to Adderall taken over your life and health? MD Home Detox can help you conquer it. We provide in-home detox services monitored by round-the-clock nursing care. You can take charge of your sobriety in the familiar and confidential setting of your own home. We can provide services such as grocery shopping, any necessary medications, and a referral network of therapists.
