Jason Zelus, MSW, LCSW
Executive Director
Jason has great compassion for those affected by addiction, and his passion for facilitating positive change led to the formation of Zelus Recovery.
Adderall stays in most people’s systems for about two days after the last dose. However, every person is different, and it could last up to a week after the last dose. If your teen has been taking Adderall for a while, has been abusing it, or takes a high dose, they might not clear it from their body for a few days at least.
Other factors, like age, urine pH, other medications, and body size, can all affect how long Adderall stays in your teen’s system. If you’re thinking of switching your teen’s medications or are concerned about their substance use, reach out to Zelus Recovery. Our medical team in Boise can help your family find a safer way forward.
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Table of Contents
- How long does Adderall stay in your system?
- Do drug tests detect Adderall in teens?
- IR vs. XR in teens: Duration of effects vs. Detection time
- How do teens get Adderall?
- How long until a test turns negative?
- School & sports testing: Practical guidance for Idaho families
- Red flags of misuse in teens & what parents can do today
- Is prescription Adderall dangerous?
- Co-occurring issues in adolescents and dual diagnosis care
- Confidential adolescent recovery options in Boise & Meridian
- Adderall FAQ for parents
How long does Adderall stay in your system?
Adderall starts leaving your system fairly quickly after taking it. Drugs and alcohol, including synthetic drugs like prescriptions, leave the body at a rate measured in “half-lives.” The half-life of Adderall in adults is around 10 hours, which means that after 10 hours, half of the previous amount leaves the body. It takes just over five (around 5.5) half-lives for the medication to truly be out of someone’s system. For adults who take Adderall, this is around 55 hours.1
Doses and the type of Adderall play a major part in how long, in hours, it would take for Adderall to leave your teen’s system. Here are a couple of examples:
- 5 mg dose of Adderall IR at 8 a.m. on Monday: It would take until around 7 p.m. Wednesday for the original dose to be cleared.
- 10 mg of Adderall XR at 8 a.m. on Monday: It may take until about 11 p.m. Wednesday for the original dose to be cleared.
Chances are, if your teen is using Adderall as prescribed, there will still be some in their system by the time of their next dose, even if they don’t notice the effects anymore. If they are misusing Adderall, they may have even more left in their system by the time they take their next dose.
The half-life of Adderall
Half-life is highly dependent on the dose of Adderall your teen takes, but also their age. The half-life of the active ingredients in Adderall is slightly shorter for children 12 and under. For teens 13–17, the half-life is slightly longer than in children or adults. Remember, too, that Adderall has two active ingredients—each with a different half-life:
- D-amphetamine (dextroamphetamine) has a half-life of about 11 hours in teens
- L-amphetamine (levoamphetamine) has a half-life of 13–14 hours in teens
Do drug tests detect Adderall in teens?
Yes. Urine, blood, and hair tests can all detect Adderall in teens, though they must be tested rather quickly. For most people taking a normal dose:
- Urine and blood tests may detect Adderall up to about three days after the last dose
- Hair follicle tests may detect it for up to 90 days
One unique factor about testing for amphetamines in urine is the pH level.2 People with acidic urine (low pH) can absorb and flush out Adderall faster than people with alkaline urine (high pH). Dietary choices, like high-protein or high-acid foods, can make urine more acidic, making it harder to detect with a urine test. However, this mostly applies to people who take low doses of Adderall, not those who take high doses.
IR vs. XR in teens: Duration of effects vs. Detection time
Adderall IR (instant release) and XR (extended release) can both manage ADHD, and both can be misused. When it comes to drug tests, XR only takes a few hours longer to clear from the body than IR. That’s because Adderall XR releases amphetamines when someone takes it and then again a few hours later to manage symptoms all day.3
| Adderall IR | Adderall XR | |
| Starts working | 20–30 minutes | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Lasts | 4–6 hours | 10–12 hours |
| Detected | 55 hours after last dose | 59 hours after last dose |
Crushing, chewing, and/or snorting Adderall XR (common among teens who abuse Adderall) will change how the body absorbs it.4 It also makes the drug more dangerous. Rather than having a slow, extended release, all the medication—in a higher dose than IR—is released and absorbed by the body quickly.
How do teens get Adderall?
Many teens who abuse Adderall start with a prescription. Others start using it without a prescription. They might do so in an attempt to keep up with schoolwork, get ahead, or try to gain “an edge” in sports/e-sports/extracurriculars.
Teens might get Adderall at home by either abusing their own prescription or taking a parent’s or sibling’s pills. They might buy it from someone at school or work if they have a job. They may also find it online via social media or shady websites, where counterfeit pills are sold without age verification.
How long until a test turns negative?
It depends. If your teen takes a single dose of Adderall, it will probably be out of their system within 2.5–3 days. If they take it daily, take a high dose, or misuse it, they might not have it out of their system for close to a week.
Teens who have acidic urine will likely clear Adderall faster than those who don’t. On the other hand, teens with higher body fat percentages may have Adderall stay in their system longer, since the drug is fat-soluble. How long Adderall stays in your teen’s system depends on several different factors, and the only accurate way to tell is with drug testing.
School & sports testing: Practical guidance for Idaho families
Idaho teens aren’t likely to get a random drug test at school. However, there are a few reasons why they might:
- Suspicion of use/misuse of a controlled substance at school: High school students are not allowed to use controlled substances during school hours or at school-sponsored activities unless they are using them in accordance with a prescription. If school staff in certain Idaho school districts suspect a high school student, they may be subject to a drug screening. This is in alliance with the Idaho Drug Free Youth.
- Sports or extracurriculars: Idaho student athletes (or students participating in other extracurriculars) may be subject to random drug or alcohol screenings. If they test positive for a substance, they may be suspended or banned from participation. Other penalties may also be involved.
Red flags of misuse in teens & what parents can do today
Spotting the signs of Adderall misuse can help you support your teen when they need it most. These are red flags that they may be abusing Adderall:
- Running out of medication early
- Being secretive or defensive
- Talking casually about “study drugs”
- Increased irritability, anxiety, or agitation
- Mood swings or emotional crashes
- Withdrawal from family or loss of interest in activities
- Appetite loss or noticeable weight changes
- Trouble sleeping
- Headaches, stomach pain, shakiness, or jaw clenching
- Appearing “wired,” restless, or unable to relax
- Sudden academic pressure or burnout
- Using it to stay awake, lose weight, or feel confident
- Lying about use
- Mixing Adderall with alcohol or other substances
Whether your teen has a prescription or not, they can still be at risk of abusing Adderall. What’s the best thing for you to do? Talk to your teen about drug and alcohol use, especially if you suspect them of it. If they take Adderall with a prescription, warn them about the effects of misusing Adderall, including the risk of addiction. If they don’t have a prescription, talk to them about how dangerous counterfeit pills can be and what risks they run. Most importantly, be supportive and be open. Listen without judgment, but be firm that you won’t tolerate substance use. You might also consider teen addiction treatment.
Is prescription Adderall dangerous?
When taken under the guidance of a prescribing doctor, Adderall is safe and effective. But abusing Adderall by taking higher doses, using it more than prescribed, chewing/snorting it, or mixing it with other substances can all be dangerous. There is no “non-prescription” Adderall, only legitimate, controlled Adderall and counterfeit pills.
Co-occurring issues in adolescents and dual diagnosis care
Addiction and substance abuse rarely occur alone. Teens might misuse Adderall to try to manage their mental health, even if they’ve never been diagnosed with anything before. Sometimes, though, substance abuse itself can cause mental health issues.
Anxiety
Adderall is commonly used to treat ADHD, so some teens think taking it when they don’t have a diagnosis will give them an edge in school. They may be stressed out about finals, a big project, or extracurriculars, so they take Adderall to boost their performance. While they might perceive some positive effects, the risks far outweigh the benefits.
Depression
Adderall is also a stimulant. It helps improve executive function in the brain and has some physical effects, like increased heart rate and decreased appetite. Teens might experiment with Adderall because of depression stemming from body image issues (to try to lose weight) or because they feel like it’s the only way to get energy.
Sleep
Adderall can be used to treat narcolepsy, a condition that causes daytime sleepiness. Teens might abuse Adderall to try to stay awake during the day after losing sleep at night. Or, they might misuse it to stay awake all night studying or partying. Their sleep cycles can quickly get off track, though, and continuing to misuse Adderall will only make them worse.
Dual diagnosis treatment for teens addresses substance use and mental health issues at the same time. If your teen is struggling with Adderall abuse, just getting them to stop without addressing their mental health puts them at risk of relapse. Integrated treatment gives them the tools they need to stop misusing Adderall and manage their mental health more effectively.
Confidential adolescent recovery options in Boise & Meridian
If you’re worried about your teen’s Adderall use, you don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out for help. Many families contact Zelus Recovery simply because something feels off.
Zelus Recovery offers confidential substance abuse treatment for adolescents in Boise and Meridian, with a strong focus on family involvement and co-occurring mental health care. Our team understands the pressures teens face today and works with parents to create realistic, supportive plans that fit real life—not just treatment goals.
If you’re ready to talk, reach out to Zelus Recovery today. Support is available, and early guidance can make a meaningful difference for your teen and your family.
Adderall FAQ for parents
For most people, Adderall stays in the body for about 2–3 days after the last dose. In some cases—especially with higher doses, daily use, or misuse—it can remain detectable for up to a week or longer.
Yes. Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance and can be addictive, especially when misused. Taking higher doses than prescribed, using it more frequently, crushing or snorting it, or using it without a prescription all increase the risk of dependence and addiction.
Urine tests can typically detect Adderall for 2–4 days after the last dose. With frequent use or higher doses, it may be detectable for up to 7 days.
- Blood: About 12–24 hours
- Saliva: About 1–2 days
- Hair: Up to 90 days, though it usually takes about a week after use for hair tests to detect it
In general:
- Single or occasional use: Around 2–3 days
- Daily or heavy use: Up to a week or longer
Because metabolism varies, there is no exact timeline that applies to everyone.
Detection time can vary based on:
- Dose and frequency of use
- Immediate-release (IR) vs. extended-release (XR)
- Age (teens vs adults)
- Body composition and hydration
- Urine pH
- Kidney or liver health
- Other medications or supplements
Adderall can usually be detected in urine within several hours after a dose—often the same day it’s taken.
Adderall shows up as amphetamines on standard drug screens. Follow-up testing can distinguish Adderall from other amphetamines if needed.
Vitamin C and acidic drinks can slightly increase how quickly Adderall is excreted in urine, but they do not reliably “flush” the drug or prevent a positive test—especially with normal or high doses. Detox methods are unreliable (sometimes unsafe) and should not be depended on.
Caffeine and other stimulants do not change drug test results, but they can increase side effects like anxiety, restlessness, heart rate, and sleep problems when combined with Adderall—particularly in teens.
Teens often clear Adderall slightly slower than adults, especially older teens (13–17). Growth, hormone changes, and metabolism can all affect how long the drug stays in a teen’s system.
Yes. Drug tests will still detect Adderall even if it’s prescribed. However, a valid prescription is typically considered a medical exemption if it’s disclosed ahead of time, depending on school or athletic policies.
Withdrawal symptoms can begin within 1–2 days after stopping and may last:
- Several days for mild symptoms (fatigue, mood changes)
- 1–3 weeks for more significant symptoms in teens who used it heavily or long-term
Common symptoms include tiredness, low mood, sleep changes, and difficulty concentrating.
Start with a calm, non-judgmental conversation. Focus on safety and understanding rather than punishment. If use continues, if pills came from unknown sources, or if mental health concerns are present, speaking with a healthcare or mental health professional is strongly recommended.
Yes. Reduced kidney or liver function can slow how quickly Adderall is cleared from the body, meaning it may stay in the system longer and increase the risk of side effects.
At-home urine tests are generally fairly accurate for detecting amphetamines, but they are not definitive. False positives and negatives can occur, and results should be confirmed by a laboratory test if accuracy matters.
References and medical review
- Drugs.com, How long does Adderall stay in your system (urine drug test)?
- Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Urinary excretion of d-amphetamine following oral doses in humans: implications for urine drug testing
- GoodRx, Adderall IR and Adderall XR Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
- Partners for Kids, Difficulty Swallowing: Products Able to be Crushed or Sprinkled
