Adderall has a half-life of 9 to 14 hours, which means that, after this time, only about half of the drug remains in the body. Adderall will completely clear from a person’s system in 3 days. However, this can vary based on several factors.
Testing can be conducted using urine, hair, saliva, and blood. Detection times for Adderall varies depending on the source that is analyzed:
- Urine, Adderall can be detected for up to 4-7 days.
- Saliva, Adderall can be detected 20 minutes after use and up to 48 hours.
- Hair, Adderall can be detected about one week after use and up to 90 days.
- Blood, Adderall can be detected 12-24 hours after use and can be identified for 24 hours.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is an amphetamine and central nervous system stimulant. It is commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition in which people find it difficult to focus on a single task and may act impulsively. Individuals with ADHD use the medication daily on a fixed therapeutic regimen, and it induces a calming effect, allowing them to concentrate on tasks at hand.
Because it is a stimulant such as meth or cocaine, Adderall boosts dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward and attention. When stimulants are introduced into the body, they increase the amount of dopamine, but they also impair the body’s ability to make its own dopamine after extended use and can cause many side effects.
How Is Adderall Misused?
Like many psychoactive drugs, Adderall can be misused and become addictive. When used in a way other than as directed, Adderall can rapidly increase the amount of dopamine in the brain and produce feelings of euphoria. To continue achieving this effect, the amount of medication used must be increased over time as the brain adjusts to the drug’s presence and reduces its response accordingly (tolerance). This effect can initiate a cycle of abusing Adderall that eventually results in full-blown physiological dependence.
Factors that Influence How Long Adderall Stays in Your System
- Body Composition
Body composition can influence the length of time it takes for a person’s body to eliminate Adderall. Height, weight, body fat percentage and muscle mass all play a part in this timeline. Surprisingly, a person with low muscle mass and high body fat will probably clear Adderall faster than someone with high muscle mass and less fat, because having more muscle means an individual has more water in their body. Because the ingredients of Adderall are hydrophilic (having a tendency to mix with or dissolve in water) this allows it to circulate in the body for a longer period.
- pH Levels
The pH levels in the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts may influence how long Adderall remains in the system. If a person has a high pH level, the kidneys will take longer to process Adderall. Those will a lower pH level are likely to eliminate the drug more rapidly because the drug is able to remain in a hydrophilic state. These levels may be affected by the consumption of food and drinks.
- Food Intake
Food consumption can affect how rapidly the body is able to eliminate Adderall. When food is in the system, the body will be working to breakdown the food as well as the medication, meaning it may take longer to complete both processes.
- Organ Function
Organs such as the liver and kidneys play a vital role in ridding the body of many potentially toxic substances, including Adderall. When an organ does not function optimally, these metabolic processes are slowed. If kidney function or liver function is not normal, the drug may stay in the system longer than it should—or even be recirculated.
- Dosage Amount
The drug dosage can also significantly affect how long it takes to clear the system. The more Adderall someone has consumed, the longer it will take for the body to eliminate it since there is more of the drug in the system to metabolize.
- Frequency of Use
The bodies of those who have been using Adderall regularly for an extended period will probably take longer to clear it in comparison to persons who have only used the drug occasionally. When the drug is used daily, it can accumulate in the body, and, in turn, it will take the body longer to break down all of the drugs in the system.
Treatment for Adderall Abuse
The longer a person has been misusing Adderall, the more intense an addiction can become. Withdrawal symptoms that manifest shortly after discontinuing can make it very difficult for users to quit on their own.
Fortunately, Adderall abuse and addiction is very treatable, and there are many effective options available. Midwood Addiction Treatment offers a comprehensive approach to substance abuse that includes behavioral therapy, counseling, group support, aftercare planning, and much more.
If you need help overcoming an addiction to Adderall, please contact us as soon as possible. Discover how we can help you free yourself from the chains of addiction and recover for life!