How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?

Many people want to know how long is Adderall in your system. There are many factors that can determine the duration and detection time of Adderall. The more you know, the better you will be able to understand how this medication affects you.

Adderall is a commonly prescribed medication. It is used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and to treat other conditions such as Narcolepsy. It can help people with this condition to stay awake during daytime hours. For many who need it, this prescription is very effective. Over time, though, as with many prescription drugs, those taking it might find that their prescribed dose is not working as well as it used to. In some cases, this can cause a person to begin taking more than they should, and can lead to Adderall abuse.

Understanding Adderall

When asking the question, “How long does Adderall stay in your system?” it’s important to understand the drug, know how it’s been used, and also be aware that there are different dosages and types of the medication that might affect the amount of time that Adderall lasts.

The DEA calls Adderall an amphetamine. When abused, it can be crushed and snorted, injected, or smoked. Crystalized amphetamines that are smoked are called ice. Abuse of amphetamines in the United States is of significant concern because an overdose can be fatal, the potential side effects are significant to cause health problems, and many who find that they cannot get their hands on Adderall when they need it often find themselves choosing other, illicit drugs like meth.

Adderall can be addictive. In fact, even when taken as prescribed, this medication can cause physical dependence. Abusing Adderall, although common, can be even more dangerous because the usual prescribing practices are not applied, so one might find themselves taking more than is safe.

How Long Does Adderall Last?

In general, Adderall can last about four to six hours when taken as prescribed. Because of this, it is common for people to have to take it more than once a day. It is often recommended that the first dose be taken immediately upon waking in the morning, and then additional doses are given at intervals of up to six hours.

Adderall XR can last all day, so it is prescribed to be taken only once daily. It should not be crushed, chewed, or snorted.

What About Adderall for Drug Tests?

No matter whether you’re taking this medication with a prescription, or you’ve been abusing it, you’re likely going to want to know how long Adderall will show up in your urine, and even your blood. More to the point, does Adderall show up in drug tests at all?

Since there are so many situations where we find that we have to take – and pass – a drug test, it’s always good to be informed.

Maybe it’s for employment, maybe you have to take a drug test for legal purposes, or for medical reasons, or maybe you need to prove that you’re doing well and staying clean. No matter why you need to take a drug test, it’s going to give you a touch of worry when you don’t know what’s going to show up.

The good news is that most of the time, you have the opportunity to disclose any medications you might be taking, and offer proof if necessary. This is where having a prescription comes in handy.

However, if you’re taking a drug test due to legal reasons, it’s likely that you’re going to have an even greater urgency when it comes to how long Adderall stays in your system.

When it comes to how long does Adderall stay in your urine, it’s good to keep in mind that there are certain factors that will affect your results.

• The amount of water you drink
• Your weight and body mass
• How much you typically take
• How acidic your urine is
• How long since your last dose

In general, though, the average person can depend on amphetamines staying in the urine for about 48 hours. It can stay in the system for as long as five days, though, so counting on any Adderall that you’ve been taking illicitly to be gone after just two days might be a mistake.

Blood tests is usually expensive, so it’s unlikely that you will encounter one, but if you do, it’s most likely that abuse will be noticeable about three to six hours after the last dose.

If You’re Struggling with Adderall Abuse

If you’re struggling with Adderall abuse, you should know that you’re not alone, and there is help. There are many different options for addiction treatment, and since no one situation is the same, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming Adderall abuse.

A top of the line treatment program can help you get started overcoming your struggles with Adderall, or any other types of substances.

 Sources:

• WebMD – Adderall
• DEA.gov – amphetamines
• Medical News Today – What to Know About Urine Drug Screening