Serenity Lane offices have been impacted by the ice storm throughout the state. Click here for the most up-to-date information on the status of our services. (last updated 1/18/2024, 5:42 PM)
If you’ve been given a prescription for Adderall, you’re not alone. According to IQVIA, a health research firm, over 41 million Adderall prescriptions were dispensed in the United States in 2021. In Oregon, the demand for Adderall rises every year. This medication is so common that the FDA recently confirmed a significant shortage of Adderall.
It’s also common for people to wonder how long Adderall “sticks around” in the body. Maybe your employer is requiring a drug test, or you’re involved in a custody case where the court has ordered one. Adderall may be legal, but you might still wonder if there are repercussions for taking it. At Serenity Lane, we have the answers you’re looking for. Today we’re here to answer the ever-popular question: “how long does Adderall stay in your system?”
A drug’s “half-life” is important because it tells us how long it takes for half of the substance to leave the body. This gives us an idea of the rate at which a medication is metabolized. In the case of Adderall, the half-life is somewhere between 9-14 hours. Why such a large gap, you ask? Because each person is unique, which means their body’s reaction to Adderall is unique.
While there is no way to gauge exactly how long it will take for Adderall to leave your body, it’s possible to get a good estimate.
Here are some factors that can impact the way your body metabolizes Adderall:
The half-life of Adderall might be 9-14 hours, but this doesn’t mean it’s no longer detectable in your system after 18-28 hours. It can take up to 72 hours for the body to rid itself completely of Adderall. In addition, this medication can be detected in certain drug tests for up to 3 months following your last dose. In other words, the half-life of something has no bearing on how long it will show up on a drug test. Let’s take a look at a few common drug tests and how long they’ll detect the presence of Adderall:
Urine tests are commonly used because they’re quick and inexpensive. These kinds of tests can detect Adderall for up to 96 hours following your last dose.
Blood tests are highly accurate in the detection of most drugs. A blood test can tell a clinician if you’ve used Adderall within the last 46 hours.
Saliva tests can detect the presence of Adderall for up to 50 hours following the last dose.
Hair tests aren’t often conducted for Adderall, but they’re often conducted for amphetamine detection (which is essentially what Adderall is.) A hair test can detect the presence of Adderall for the longest of all the tests – up to 3 months following your last dose.
Adderall is mainly used in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders, and it’s often taken daily for long-term management. While this medication can be incredibly helpful to those living with ADHD, the daily routine of taking it can cause withdrawal symptoms if a dose is missed. Tolerance can often be built with Adderall, which means you may need to take a higher dose once your body gets used to it. This can also lead to withdrawal.
Withdrawal symptoms for Adderall aren’t common – mainly because you’re working closely with your physician to find a medication regimen that works best for you. Your doctor will also provide you with valuable advice and information that can prevent you from misusing the medication or taking too much of it (something that can also cause problems.)
If you’ve been taking it for a long time, physical addiction can occur because your body has become accustomed to it, but again, this is something your doctor can help you with. It’s really only when an individual begins misusing Adderall or taking it outside of their doctor’s prescription that it becomes a problem.
That being said, some common symptoms of Adderall withdrawal include:
To avoid these symptoms, keep in close contact with your physician. Tell them about any discomfort you’re having and don’t be afraid to speak up. It could be a simple solution like changing your dosage or even altering your diet/exercise plan. Never stop taking Adderall without talking to your doctor first – quitting abruptly can cause discomfort or mood shifts. Your doctor can help you wean off of it and decrease the risk of withdrawal if that’s what you decide.
If you’re using Adderall outside of a prescription, you’re not alone. The mission of Serenity Lane is to provide the highest quality of addiction care to every resident who needs it throughout Oregon. Who you are, where you come from, and why you started taking Adderall recreationally are not things you’ll be judged for here. We only want to help you get your life back.
The master’s level clinicians and therapists at Serenity Lane dedicate their lives to offering evidence-based, compassionate, and comprehensive addiction treatment because we know anyone can recover. We don’t want you to face Adderall use disorder alone – we want to help.
There are a variety of options available to you. One of the most common misconceptions about seeking treatment for Adderall use is that you’ll need to leave your family, your work, or your friends. If that’s something you feel you’re unable to do, we can support you with other methods of treatment. We also offer residential treatment for those needing intensive care. Each client is unique, so each treatment plan is unique.
We are proud to offer a full continuum of care for Adderall use disorder:
Serenity Lane is the oldest non-profit program in the state of Oregon with over 50 years of experience. We specialize in individualized, effective, and innovative solutions for recovery. If you or someone you love is ready for adderall addiction treatment, call us today at 800-543-9905. We offer no-cost, confidential screenings at all of our locations.
What is Adderall used for?
Adderall is often used for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
What factors affect the detection time of Adderall?
Factors that affect how long Adderall can be detected on a drug test include your weight, age, liver/kidney health, current dose, and other medications you might be taking alongside Adderall.
Copyright © 2026 SERENITY LANE
SERENITY LANE is a registered trademark of Serenity Lane, an Oregon non-profit corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
