Adderall Detection Timelines [INFOGRAPHIC]

Drug Name: Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts)
Drug Class: Stimulant
Street Names: Addies, Uppers, Beans

What Are Drug Detection Times?

Drug detection times indicate the period of time during which a drug screening, or drug test, can detect the presence of a psychoactive drug like Adderall or its metabolites in your urine, hair, saliva, or blood. This period includes the time from when Adderall can be primarily detected, ending to the period when your test will be clean.

Drug detection windows are not a fixed category. On the contrary, they vary based on the drug used, how long you’ve used it, your health, and the level of physical activity you engage in…as well as other factors.

Who Requires Drug Tests?

Drug tests are usually a requirement of employers. Drug tests are also a common practice in transportation, defense, and aviation companies. These type of industries and companies usually send their job applicants and employees for drug and alcohol screening. In addiction, drug testing can also be observed in other areas of public work life, such as: hospitals, media corporations, schools, and universities.

Adderall Drug Test Detection

Several drug tests exist to detect the presence of Adderall in the body. These tests use different markers to detect the presence of amphetamines in body fluids such as urine, saliva, hair, and blood.

Urine: The urine drug test is the most common method used to detect Adderall presence in the body. It provides accurate results, which detect the drug 1 – 3 days from cessation of use. Adderall can even be detected 7 days after the last use when a larger dose of the drug was ingested.

Hair: The hair drug test is expensive and therefore is not a commonly used drug test method for Adderall. However, it is the most potent with detection time lasting up to 90 days. The hair drug test is a more reliable indicator for when Adderall was last taken.

Saliva: This type of test is a cotton swab drug test. In most cases a nurse takes your saliva with a cotton swab and it goes on to be tested for Adderall. Adderall detection window for saliva tests is 3 days after your last use.

Blood: This test can also be used in the case of doubt when a urine test was used, with suspected inhibition of urinary elimination by use of alkaline diet. In a blood test Adderall can be detected for up to 24 hours after ingestion.

If you like to learn more about drug testing, download our free e-book The Definitive Guide To Drug Testing.

How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?

The amount of time Adderall can be detected in your system varies. Some main factors that influence this “detection window” include your age, personal characteristics, your genetic makeup, kidney and liver function, as well as your individual metabolic rate.

Age. The younger you are, the more capable your body is in eliminating drugs simply because your metabolism is likely moving at a faster pace and your organs are in better shape than those of an older person.

Body height, weight and fat. Depending on how tall you are, how much you weigh and how much body fat you have, Adderall will leave your system relatively faster or slower (faster for slimmer, taller folks).

Genetics. Genes are essential factors for determining the way your metabolism and body is built. Additionally, our genetic makeup is highly correlated with our predisposition toward addictive patterns.

Kidney & Liver function. The liver and kidney are vital organs in the elimination process of the body. If you have any kind of liver or kidney health problems that would definitely influence (extend) your Adderall clearance rate.

Metabolic rate. The speed at which your system is able to metabolize food, liquids and drugs will affect how quickly Adderall is process throughout the body.

NOTE HERE: Drug detection times in urine, blood, and saliva are an average and can vary greatly by individual. The information in this Adderall infographic should be used as a general guideline only.

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Your Questions

We hope to have helped you find answers to how long Adderall stays in the system. For any additional questions on Adderall drug detection windows, please leave a comment in the designated section below. We do our best to respond personally and promptly to all legitimate inquiries.

Reference Sources: FDA: Adderall
SAMHSA: Clinical Drug Testing in Primary Care
NCBI: Detection of amphetamine and methamphetamine following administration of benzphetamine

About the author

Lee Weber

Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.