Looking at the Duration of Adderall and Adderall XR in the Body
Many people have found themselves against a deadline, whether cramming for an exam, writing a paper, or completing a project for work. While many rely on caffeine, others turn to something a little harder to keep them up and help them focus – the prescription drug Adderall.
But casual use can easily turn into abuse, and perhaps you or someone you know if facing urine tests for a job or court supervision.
In such cases, the key question is: how long does Adderall stay in your system?
The effects of Adderall start to wear off between 4-6 hours, though you may struggle to sleep several hours after this. Adderall XR (extended release) may last 10-12 hours. Even once the stimulating effects subside, however, these drugs continue to stay in your system. It takes a minimum of three days to pass a urine drug test after taking Adderall, but this also varies depending on several factors.
Keep reading to learn more about how long Adderall stays in your system, how it can affect you, and how Purpose Healing Center can help if you are concerned about how Adderall misuse is negatively impacting your life.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?
Adderall comes in two forms; traditional Adderall (immediate release) and Adderall ER (extended release formulations). Depending on the type of drug testing methods, Adderall stays in your system for 24 hours or all the way up to 3 months. It has a half life of 9-14 hours, but the metabolites can be detected for much longer.
And How Long Will Adderall Show Up on Drug Tests?
Factors that affect the amount of time that Adderall shows up on drug tests depends on the type of test, how long you’ve been using Adderall, and how well your body can eliminate it. The drug has a half-life of 9-14 hours. This half-life means that after 9-14 hours, approximately half of the drug has been eliminated. Its effects will be much less noticeable then.
However, drug screenings detect Adderall and other drugs by monitoring for metabolites created as your body processes the stimulant. These metabolites hang around longer than Adderall’s half-life. Certain tests can detect Adderall for days, weeks, or even months after ingesting it. Long-term Adderall use remains detectable for even longer. Let’s look the timeline for Adderall detection on various drug screenings.
Saliva Tests for Adderall
Saliva testing is not commonly used to detect prescription medications like Adderall. When they are, a mouth swab is used to collect saliva and then sent to a lab to test for certain metabolites. These metabolites show up on saliva tests as early as 20 minutes after ingesting Adderall. The drug remains detectable for up to 2 days.
Blood Tests for Stimulants
Many places do not use a blood test to check for Adderall or other drug abuse, as drug processing happens quickly in the blood and there is a shorter detection window. Blood testing methods are also more invasive than other tests. Adderall use can only be detected using blood tests for 24 hours.
Urine Tests for Adderall
When your body processes Adderall, it produces certain metabolites in the urine. These metabolites are what is tested for during a urine drug screen. It takes your body approximately 3 days to eliminate most of the prescription, but trace amounts of Adderall can be detected on a urine test for up to a week.
Hair Follicle Tests for Prescription Stimulants
Hair testing is less common than urine testing, but it has a significantly longer detection window. Adderall use may not show up in hair follicles until a week after its been ingested. However, these tests are capable of detecting Adderall in a hair sample for 3 months or longer after use.
Does Adderall Show Up on Drug Screenings?
Adderall does show up on many types of drug testing. You will test positive for amphetamines (stimulants) caused by the presence of dextroamphetamine and other salts. If you are taking Adderall to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, it’s important to have a prescription from a healthcare professional.
You should also disclose this information to the entity that is drug testing you, as there are allowances for prescription medication.
Things That Affect How Long Adderall Shows Up on a Drug Test
Even though there are estimates for how long does Adderall stay in your system, there are several factors that can change these numbers, including:
- Frequency of Use – If you’ve taken Adderall occasionally, your body will be able to eliminate it faster than a person taking a drug screening after long-term Adderall usage. Adderall accumulates in the body with frequent use.
- Dosage and ingestion – The amount of Adderall that you have used also affects how long it takes your body to metabolize it. Higher doses stay in your system longer. If you ingest Adderall in a way other than prescribed (like snorting), it can also affect the high and how long the drug remains in your system.
- Digestive system – Adderall does not have to be taken with food, but the acidic (or non-acidic) environment in your digestive tract can affect how long does Adderall stay in your system. It is not absorbed as well when there is an abundance of food in your stomach. Furthermore, the pH (acidity or alkalinity) of your body and gastrointestinal tract affect its absorption.
- Body composition – Typically, Adderall metabolizes quicker in people with a higher body weight. Adderall may not last as long in people with a higher body weight as it will in people with a lower body weight.
- Organ function – Overall health and organ function also affect how long the prescription drug stays in your system. Liver and kidney function play the greatest role because they are responsible for eliminating toxins from the body.
Each person is different. The only way to make sure you pass a drug test is to not use Adderall in the first place. And, if you are struggling with substance use, reach out to Purpose for help before you are facing the consequences of a failed test.
How Long Until I Can Sleep After Using Adderall?
How long Adderall remains active depends on your individual drug metabolism, how efficiently your body processes and eliminates the medication, and the dosage of the drug. This is true for determining how long any drug stays in your system.
Each person is different, though most people can sleep a few hours after the half-life of the drug has worn off. Immediate release Adderall’s effect on the body wears off faster than extended-relief Adderall (XR).
Managing Comedown Symptoms After Adderall Use
Some people experience comedown after they misuse Adderall, which is the crash that happens after your brain has been stimulated for so long. This crash is worse in people struggling with Adderall addiction or long-term Adderall abuse.
Even if you feel mentally and physically exhausted, you may struggle with sleep. Some withdrawal symptoms you may experience during comedown include
During this time, you should not use other drugs or alcohol to make yourself sleepy. Stay hydrated and keep yourself distracted. If detox symptoms get too intense, don’t be afraid to seek help at your local emergency room.
Adderall to Treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Adderall is most commonly prescribed for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In some cases, it may also be prescribed for narcolepsy. In individuals with ADHD, the amphetamine salts in Adderall increase the levels of key neurotransmitters in the brain.
Adderall is different than meth, as well as differing from other medications for ADHD because it contains four different amphetamine salts, including dextroamphetamine.
It also affects dopamine levels and absorption This helps regulate attention and impulsivity, both areas where individuals with ADHD struggle.
This widely prescribed medication for ADHD symptoms is a prescription stimulant, meaning it stimulates the central nervous system. Immediate-release formulations provide fast relief from symptoms but come with a higher risk of abuse. The extended-release version lasts longer and only needs to be taken once per day.
What Does It Feel Like When You Use Adderall?
People with ADHD have brains that work a little differently than that of the average person. While someone with ADHD can take Adderall and have it improve focus, it works differently for a person who does not have this condition.
It does still work as a stimulant medication because of its effects on the central nervous system, but it does not encourage focus and impulse control as it does in people with ADHD. It might keep you awake, but it does not have the same benefits for focus.
Some people also take Adderall to experience a high or euphoria associated with a better mood. They may abuse Adderall by crushing then snorting or injecting it. This is less common with extended-release versions of the prescription medication.
How Do I Know If I Have a Problem with Adderall?
If you find yourself Googling “how long does Adderall stay in your system” because you are worried about the consequences of failing a drug test, it could mean you are struggling with Adderall misuse. Misuse is an early sign of Adderall addiction, especially as usage becomes more frequent.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Many people also experience withdrawal if they do not stop taking the medication gradually. Withdrawal symptoms are a normal part of detox but can be incredibly uncomfortable. Symptoms include poor concentration, fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritation, agitation, paranoia, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes.
What Can I Do if I’m Addicted to Adderall?
Outside of opioids, Adderall is one of the most commonly abused prescription medications, with 60% of people using it without a prescription being between the ages of 18 and 25. Even people who are prescribed Adderall to treat ADHD may struggle with misuse and dependence on this stimulant drug.
If you find yourself leaning on Adderall too much, the best thing to do is reach out before Adderall uses spirals out of control. Stimulants are incredibly addictive and over time, you develop a strong mental and physical dependence on them. Misuse can easily spiral into Adderall abuse if you continue with these habits.
What Does Treatment for Substance Use Disorder Look Like?
The best way to overcome addiction is to enter a drug and alcohol rehab program in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Purpose Healing Center offers individualized treatment plans rooted in evidence-based therapies and addiction treatment techniques. We also offer medical detox services under medical supervision.
During individual therapy, you’ll learn more about your personal struggles and motivations for staying sober. This can help you address existing mental health issues and unresolved trauma, as well as identify stresses and triggers for drug use and how to overcome them. Targeted approaches like SMART Recovery and cognitive behavioral therapy may also be recommended during addiction treatment.
Most of our clients also attend group therapy or support meetings as part of the recovery process. It’s helpful to share struggles and triumphs with people who understand what substance abuse feels like.
We also offer dual diagnosis treatment, which helps clients with mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, psychotic symptoms, mood disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Get Help Overcoming Adderall Abuse at Purpose Healing
If you are concerned about Adderall usage, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. With our Joint Commission-accredited treatment centers in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Purpose Healing Center stands as a pillar of recovery for business professionals, college students, and anyone else who may need help.
The success of our evidence-based therapies and effective Adderall addiction treatment programs speak for themselves. Contact us to learn more confidentially today.
480-579-3319