For countless reasons, Adderall is one of the most prescribed medications in the country. However, Adderall has a high potential for misuse. When you’re ready to quit, do you know how to get Adderall out of your system? Learn how without putting your physical and mental health in danger.
An Adderall addiction treatment program is your best and safest bet for detox, treatment, and recovery. If you or a loved one needs Adderall addiction treatment in Florida, please reach out to us at Lighthouse Recovery Institute at 866.308.2090 for more information about your options.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is the brand name for a medication that helps treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It comes from the stimulants family, an amphetamine that acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Adderall can help improve ADHD symptoms in up to 80 percent of children and 70 percent of adults when used. The effects of Adderall can last between 4 to 6 hours per dose. However, Adderall comes in an extended-release form, which can be taken once daily.
It is very easy to become dependent on, raise your tolerance to, and ultimately become addicted to Adderall. Someone struggling with Adderall addiction should seek professional help and a safe medical detox program prior to entering addiction treatment.
Adderall Addiction Statistics
Adderall addiction is on the rise among young adults. Over 116,000 people in rehab in 2012 were struggling with an addiction to amphetamines like Adderall. Another review of studies found that 17 percent of college students reported misusing stimulants, including Adderall.
In 2012 alone, over 16 million prescriptions for amphetamines like Adderall were written. It’s impossible not to worry when you notice trends like people changing coffee for Adderall at the office and college students resourcing to Adderall to study and meet academic demands. From 2016 to 2017, the number of people aged 12 and older using amphetamines went from 12 million to 12.7 million, a 0.3% increase in as little as one year.
When you look at the number of people misusing Adderall, from 2016 to 2017, the number of people increased by 700,000 new users. Since Adderall is so widely available, people take it with or without prescriptions. They may also try to crush the pills to snort or inject them to enhance the effects of the drug and intensify the drug.
Adderall abuse numbers went up along with all other drug and alcohol abuse statistics as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on since 2020. If you are struggling with addiction, it is important to understand that there is help for you.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?
Drugs like Adderall are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized by your liver, which means it leaves your body through your urine. With medical detox, most people can get Adderall out of their system in 48 hours. However, it works throughout the body to stay in different areas of your body. However, different types of testing can detect Adderall at different timelines.
Adderall’s half-life timeline:
- Adderall can be detected in a blood test for up to 48 hours after the last dose.
- Adderall can be detected in your urine for 48 to 72 hours after your last use. A urine test will show a higher concentration of Adderall than other drugs because our body metabolizes Adderall.
- A saliva test can detect Adderall for about 20 to 50 hours, but it won’t show as high a concentration as it would in your urine.
- Although drug testing using your hair is rare, Adderall can show up in a hair test for up to 3 months after the last use. Keep reading to learn how to get Adderall out of hair.
Keep In mind that if someone tests positive for Adderall in their system, this doesn’t mean they have an addiction. After all, Adderall is a prescription drug that can help those who need it. If you’re worried about a loved one who might be abusing Adderall, reach out for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment options.
Factors That Affect How Long Adderall Stays in Your System
However, these timelines are based on averages. Different people metabolize Adderall at different speeds. How long it takes your body to get Adderall out of your system depends on various factors.
Dosage
Adderall is available in 5mg to 30mg tablets or capsules. The higher the dose of Adderall, the longer it takes for your body to metabolize it. This drug is also available in immediate and extended-release versions.
So, for example, a 5mg dose of immediate Adderall will have a shorter detection time than a 5mg Adderall XR, the extended-release version. The length of time someone has been taking Adderall also plays a role. Those who take it for extended periods will have higher drug concentrations in their system.
Body Composition
Even after considering different dosages, there’s evidence that suggests body composition plays a massive role in how long Adderall takes to get out of your system. Drugs like Adderall clear from the body faster in those who weigh more and have more body fat.
Body composition will also impact dosage. Larger people need larger medication doses, which means it will take longer to leave the body.
Metabolism
Everyone has enzymes in their liver that metabolize drugs and other medications. The metabolism rate depends on the activity level, gender, and type of medication someone takes.
Your metabolism will affect how long a drug stays in your system. The faster your body can metabolize, or break down, a substance, the faster it will leave the body.
Overall Health
If your body isn’t at its optimal level, it might take longer to metabolize Adderall. Since Adderall is removed through your urine, liver, and kidney function is fundamental to help your body excrete amphetamine. Your metabolism also plays a role.
Usually, those with substance use disorder have impaired digestive enzymes that can affect metabolism. Age, gender, weight, and overall physical activity can also have an impact.
Method of Administration
While Adderall is only available in tablet or capsule presentations, some people tend to tamper with the drug, especially those with a substance use disorder. If you snort, inject, or smoke amphetamines, it changes how your body absorbs the medication. If you smoke or inject amphetamines, they leave the body faster than if you snort or swallow them.
How to Clear Your System of Adderall
Many might try to sweat or flush out amphetamines from their system by exercising or drinking water. However, the only proven way to get Adderall out of your system is by discontinuing use and letting your body eliminate the drug naturally. Amphetamines detox timelines vary from person to person, but the whole process can last from four to ten days or up to three weeks.
Can You Sweat Adderall Out?
Some people believe that you can “sweat Adderall out” and get it out of your system with exercise. However, Adderall is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, and it is your liver and kidneys that break down the substance to excrete it by your urine. If any of these organs or systems are not functioning, it can take longer for Adderall to leave your body.
Safe, Supervised Medical Detox
Trying to quit Adderall alone can be dangerous. Long-term Adderall abusers can suffer significant health hazards and produce symptoms of Adderall withdrawal, including mood swings and chronic fatigue. Adderall withdrawal symptoms can lead to paranoia, depression, and even schizophrenia-like symptoms.
Adderall detox follows a tapering down strategy. This means gradually reducing someone’s doses over time to minimize withdrawal symptoms. It will also reduce the side effects of Adderall if they were to occur.
It’s recommended to seek help from an addiction specialist and go to a medical detox facility to start the process. Those who do these are more successful and reduce their risk of relapse. Medical detox works best when combined with individual therapy and the help of a counselor.
Getting Help for Adderall Addiction
The bottom line is that Adderall can stay in your system for up to 72 hours after your last dose. Although, as we mentioned earlier, the length of time the drug stays in your system depends on many factors. Because of this, attempting to quit Adderall on your own can be dangerous.
Speaking with an addiction treatment specialist as soon as possible is the best way to start seeking help for addiction. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our drug addiction recovery programs include:
