Adderall is a prescription amphetamine that is known for being used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Particularly, Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine that stimulates the central nervous system (CNS). Because of this, it’s become used pilots, professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and executives, and everyday people.
In this post, we’re going to be diving into just how long Adderall stays in your system, along with touching on other facts relating to usage of the drug. Our goal is to create a comprehensive guide to safe and responsible usage of Adderall that diverges from the more reckless uses of the drug that are sometimes seen.
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How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System? Adderall stays in your system for around 72 hours
How Long Do Adderall’s Effects Last? Adderall lasts anywhere from 4 hours to 12 hours
Can Professionals, Pilots, and People Use Adderall? Professionals and people can use Adderall, but the FAA does not allow pilots to use Adderall.
Why is the FAA So Strict With Pilots Taking ADHD Medications Such as Adderall? The FAA is strict about pilots taking Adderall because it affects their coordination and alertness.
Is It Dangerous for Professionals, Pilots, and People to Use Adderall? Other than pilots, it’s not dangerous for professionals and people to take Adderall as prescribed.
FAQs about How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System? A Guide for Professionals, Pilots, and People Answers to common questions about Adderall for professionals, pilots, and people.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?
Adderall stays in your system for around 72 hours or three days, though there are numerous factors that impact how long Adderall will be present in your body.
Factors that impact how long Adderall is present in your body include:
- Age
- Body type
- Weight
- Brain chemistry
- Metabolism
- Genetics
Additionally, whether or not Adderall can be detected in your system depends on the different methods being used to check for traces of Adderall and an individual’s body.
- Urine tests can detect Adderall for approximately 3 to 4 days after use
- Saliva test can detect Adderall for approximately 1 to 2 days after use
- Blood tests can detect Adderall for approximately 2 to 3 days after use
Note: There is a stark difference between the amount of Adderall remaining in your system and the effects of Adderall being felt by an individual.
How Long Do Adderall’s Effects Last?
Adderall lasts anywhere from 4 hours to 12 hours depending on the type of Adderall you use.
Adderall IR, or Adderall Instant Release, is considered to be the standard version of Adderall. This version of Adderall is meant to begin producing its effect in your body within 30 to 60 minutes and last for 4 to 6 hours.
Adderall XR, or Adderall extended release, is the alternative version of Adderall. This form of Adderall is meant to begin producing its effect in your body within 60 to 120 minutes, but rather than taking effect immediately like regular Adderall, its effects slowly release over time, usually becoming noticeable after two hours. This is attributable to Adderall XR having a different formulation than Adderall IR. Adderall XR lasts for up to 10-12 hours.
Can Professionals, Pilots, and People Use Adderall?
There are a variety of different answers as to whether professionals, pilots, and people can use Adderall. For the most part, except for pilots, most individuals are perfectly fine using Adderall, so long as they have a prescription and follow proper medical guidance when it comes to usage. In the case of the doctors and nurses, they can take Adderall, but they’re not allowed to self-prescribe it. Instead, they must visit another qualified and licensed healthcare professional to get a prescription.
Though Adderall is a drug with high potential for abuse, when used as advised, it is a useful stimulant that helps individuals stay focused and attentive. Other benefits of Adderall for professionals include:
- Improved memory
- Improved inhibitory control
- Greater organizational skills
- Boosted reaction time
- Greater focus
- Improved listening skills
For these reasons, Adderall is often prescribed for individuals suffering from ADHD and narcolepsy.
That said, pilots have a harder time dealing with Adderall. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) performs testing for individuals with ADHD conducted by a HIMS neuropsychologist. In the standard track FAA ADHD evaluation, pilots are expected to have discontinued ADHD medication at least 90 days prior to testing. This means no Adderall.
In order to verify this, individuals undergoing ADHD testing will be subjected to urine testing. Additionally, the FAA also performs annual random drug testing at a rate of 25% for drug testing and 10% for alcohol testing.
Why is the FAA So Strict With Pilots Taking ADHD Medications Such as Adderall?
The FAA is so strict about pilots taking ADHD medications because they alter an individual’s cognitive function.
According to the FAA’s official website, coordination and alertness are vital to say pilot performance. It makes sense why they would be wary about an individual that needs drugs to maintain this coordination and alertness. What happens if they run out of their Adderall prescription, for example? Or if they, due to nerves or anxiety, take more Adderall than medically advisable in order to compensate, only to ill effect?
However, as a counterpoint: most individuals who are prescribed Adderall are for the most part responsible and sensible with their usage of the drug. Roughly 17.8 million people used prescription stimulants such as Adderall in 2022 according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The vast majority of them did not abuse the prescriptions.
Currently, individuals like Clare Kelley at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law are trying to challenge the FAA’s stance on Adderall with appeals such as “The Call for FAA Regulation Change: Why Individuals with ADHD and ADHD Medication Prescriptions Should Be Permitted to Become Pilots.” Only time will tell if such attempts to fight the stigma against Adderall are successful.
Is It Dangerous for Professionals, Pilots, and People to Use Adderall?
While the FAA has the stance of it being dangerous or at least inadvisable for pilots to use Adderall, professionals and people do not have to limit themselves in the same manner.
Adderall when taken as prescribed is perfectly safe, and can even be life-changing in a positive manner for individuals suffering from ADHD or narcolepsy. The drug is meant to provide improved cognitive function in the individual it is prescribed to. Propagating a negative perception of the stimulant can result in individuals who would otherwise need it being hesitant to get a prescription.
Note: Adderall still has a bad reputation for being abused, particularly by youth, though this is not as prevalent as it once was. According to statista, Adderall’s usage among eighth, tenth, and 12th graders is currently at a rate of around 2.3% for all three grades as of 2025. This is down from a rate of Adderall usage of 7.5%, 5.2%, and 1% in 12th graders, 10th graders, and 8th graders respectively in 2015.
For those who have questions or concerns about Adderall use, whether related to dependency, misuse, or mental health, talking with experienced professionals can make a meaningful difference. Southeastern Recovery Center provides compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals dealing with substance use issues and co-occurring mental health conditions. If you or someone you care about is looking for clarity or support, you can learn more about treatment options by visiting serecoverycenter.com
FAQs about How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System? A Guide for Professionals, Pilots, and People
How long does adderall stay in your system?
Adderall stays in your system for around three to four days, while its effects last up to 12 hours.
How long can urine testing detect Adderall in your system?
Urine testing can detect Adderall in your system for around three to four days after your last dose.
Can doctors take Adderall?
Doctors can take Adderall but they’re not allowed to prescribe it.
Can pilots take Adderall?
Pilots are generally not allowed to take Adderall due to rules set by the FAA.
How long can blood testing detect Adderall?
Blood testing can detect Adderall in your system for approximately 2 to 3 days after your last dose.
Sources:
Federal Aviation Administration. ADHD Standard Track Evaluation General Information for Pilots and ATCS. 30 Oct. 2024, https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/ADHD_standard_track_eval_general_info.pdf. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Federal Aviation Administration. “Fitness for Flight.” Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), Chapter 8, Section 1, https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap8_section_1.html. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2022 NSDUH Detailed Tables. SAMHSA, https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2022-nsduh-detailed-tables. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kelley, C. The Call for FAA Regulation Change: Why Individuals with ADHD Face Unnecessary Barriers. Health Matrix: The Journal of Law-Medicine, vol. 34, Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons, 2024, https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1702&context=healthmatrix. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Statista. Annual Prevalence of Adderall Use in Grades 8, 10, and 12 in the United States Since 2009. Statista, 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/696590/us-annual-prevalence-of-adderall-use-in-grades-8-10-12-since-2009. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
