Adderall® is one of the most commonly abused amphetamine prescription drugs. It has an average half-life between 9 -14 hours, suggesting that it stays in your system for about 3 days. Some people’s bodies may take more time to successfully eliminate the drug.
Adderall is a combination drug containing four salts of amphetamines. It is composed of equal parts of racemic amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which produces a (3:1) ratio between the racemic mixtures of the medication.1
With its expansive benefits in treating ADHD and Narcolepsy, Adderall has the potential for misuse. If you feel you or a loved one might be developing an Adderall addiction, Nurture Nexus Recovery can help. Call us at (214) 838-7488 or schedule an appointment!
How Long Does 5mg, 10mg, & 15mg of Adderall® Stay in Your System?
As mentioned above, Adderall has a half-life of 9-14 hours, depending on the general health and metabolism of the person taking it. Here’s a breakdown of how long the regular and extended release doses stay in one’s system:
Adderall® 5mg
A 5mg dose of Adderall is actively cleared from the body after the first day since the last dose.2 By the end of 24 hours, only a fraction of the initial amount of the drug is left, rendering no effects on the body until full excretion by 48 hours.
Adderall® 10mg
A slightly larger dose, 10mg, takes approximately two and a half days to clear from the system on average. Within 10 hours, you will have only half of the medication in your body, and you should start to feel the effects successfully by the first 48 hours.
Adderall® 20mg
Usually, 20mg is the most common dose for adults with ADHD.3 It takes around 3 days for this dose to be eliminated from the body along with any lingering effects. However, if you’ve been taking the medication regularly, the excretion might take longer.
Metabolism Overview of Available Adderall® Doses
Since Adderall (both XR and IR) is officially available in many doses for ADHD, narcolepsy, here is a comprehensive timeframe of its successful metabolism and excretion.
| Drug Version (XR/IR) | Initial Dosage (mg) | After 10 Hours (mg) | After 1 Day (mg) | After 1.5 Days (mg) | After 2 Days (mg) | After 2.5 Days (mg) | After 3 Days (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IR, XR | 5 | 2.5 | 1.25 | 0.75 | Eliminated | ||
| IR only | 7.5 | 3.75 | 1.87 | 0.92 | Eliminated | ||
| IR, XR | 10 | 5 | 2.5 | 1.25 | 0.75 | Eliminated | |
| IR only | 12.5 | 6.25 | 3.12 | 1.56 | 0.78 | Eliminated | |
| IR, XR | 15 | 7.5 | 3.75 | 1.87 | 0.92 | Eliminated | |
| IR, XR | 20 | 10 | 5 | 2.5 | 1.25 | 0.75 | Eliminated |
| XR only | 25 | 12.5 | 6.25 | 3.12 | 1.56 | 0.78 | Eliminated |
| IR, XR | 30 | 15 | 7.5 | 3.75 | 1.87 | 0.92 | Eliminated |
3 Factors That Impact How Fast Your Body Gets Rid of Adderall®
Even though Adderall completely leaves most people’s bodies in 3 days, some factors can hasten or slow down the process. They are:
1. Your Body’s Metabolic Rate
If your body has a generally fast metabolism, then you, too, can easily get rid of Adderall in the given time frame. But, for some people, the body can take longer, and the overall excretion window can be delayed by a day or two.
2. Age & Overall Health
Studies show that younger people in general have good health and metabolize Adderall faster with fewer withdrawal symptoms.4 The older you are, the harder it is to excrete such substances successfully. Similarly, Adderall is metabolized in the liver and excreted through the kidneys, so a healthy renal system is a prerequisite.
3. Frequency of Dosage
Another factor that impacts Adderall metabolism is how long you’ve been taking it for and what your typical dose is. If you’ve been taking 20-30mg regularly for months, your body tends to hold onto traces of the medication for longer, and you’re susceptible to testing positive on tests.5
Will Adderall® Show Up on a Drug Test?
Due to its composition, Adderall tests positive for drug tests looking for amphetamines. Although it is used in the medication management of ADHD, some people take it to experience euphoria.6
Reliable methods of testing include:
Saliva Test
A saliva test is uncommon for amphetamines, but it shows results for Adderall 20 minutes after consumption. The test window is until 50 hours after the last dose.
Blood Test
Generally, Adderall is easiest to detect via a blood sample. It shows up almost instantly on blood toxicology testing and can be detected up to 46 hours after the last dose.
Urine Test
Since Adderall is metabolized in the liver and excreted through the kidneys, it shows up exceptionally well on a urine test. It can be detected up to 96 hours later, even in trace amounts.
Hair Test
Hair samples tend to hold substances like Adderall and other prescription drugs for up to 3 months after last use.
Note: Testing can be a standard procedure for high-placement offices, universities, certain institutions, and mental health and substance use treatment programs such as outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
Impact of Adderall® XR vs. Adderall® IR on Excretion Cycle
Adderall is typically available in two types of ingestible forms, i.e., Adderall XR, the slow-release capsule, and Adderall IR, the immediate-release tablets.
Adderall IR kicks in immediately and has effects that last for 4-6 hours. On average, an adult needs to take multiple doses a day or as prescribed by a doctor. Adderall XR, on the other hand has a delayed release with effects that last for around 12 hours and is typically taken once a day.7
Both these medicines are metabolized almost identically, the only difference being that the detection window for XR capsules is based on the last release from the unit. However, if a person abuses Adderall, they will take higher doses in order to experience the euphoria, which leads to a longer excretion cycle.
Do You Have an Adderall® Addiction? Here’s How To Check
The FDA has updated the warnings on ADHD prescription drugs to take into consideration the potential for abuse.8 Adderall® can be highly addictive and should always be taken as prescribed.
Some physical symptoms of addiction to Adderall are:
- Dilated pupils and visibly heavy sweating/breathing
- Not sleeping for excessive periods of time
- Tremors and loss of coordination
- Excessive weight loss and anorexia
- Flushed skin and feeling hot all the time
- Extended periods of productivity followed by intense lows
Social aspects of addiction to amphetamines include 9:
- Being very socially active but showing signs of anxiety
- Making impulsive plans and cancelling last minute
- Dependence on Adderall for improved performance at school or work
- Relationship problems due to impulsive and manic behavior
Why Getting Help For Adderall® Addiction Matters
Adderall addiction is a serious condition that is prevalent among teens and young adults. It is often used as a social drug, as it is seen as a performance booster.10 However, Adderall abuse complications and overdose can be fatal, something that most people do not know.
A good substance abuse treatment program can help you understand the root of your addictive behaviors and equip you with skills to overcome them and make better choices. Adderall withdrawal can be intense and uncomfortable, but it is rarely fatal.
When choosing a treatment center, make sure to visit the facility, meet with the medical team, and examine their treatment approach. Addiction treatment isn’t a quick fix for anyone, and finding the right program is essential to stable recovery.
Sign Up For The Best Adderall® Addiction Treatment in Texas
Sometimes, even the most useful drugs that treat serious conditions can be misused to get high, and Adderall is one of those drugs. Being addicted to amphetamines can slowly ruin your life without giving you any warning signs.
At Nurture Nexus Recovery, we use our evidence-based treatment programs in Texas to get to the root of addiction and help beat it. All our programs are insured with flexible treatment options to cater to a variety of recovering individuals. Call us at (214) 838-7488 or contact us to get the help you need.
FAQs – How Long Does Adderall® Stay in Your System
How Long Does Adderall Take to Kick In?
Adderall has different timings for kicking in based on which version of the drug you took. Immediate-release Adderall shows effects almost instantly, whereas extended-release can take a few hours.
What Does Adderall Test Positive For?
Adderall tests positive for amphetamines on drug tests. This is mostly due to its composition and how it metabolizes.
Is Adderall Really Addictive?
Yes, Adderall is considered to be a really addictive drug. It is very habit-forming, and it doesn’t take long to form a dependency on it.
How Long Does 20 mg Adderall Last?
Usually, 20mg of Adderall lasts all day for adults with ADHD and other attention deficit issues. However, based on other issues like narcolepsy and substance abuse, your dosage can be altered by a doctor.
How Long Does It Take for Adderall to Wear Off Completely?
It takes at least 24 hours for Adderall to wear off completely and metabolize to the point where you do not feel any aftereffects or withdrawals.
