Does Adderall show up on drug tests?

Yes. Adderall shows up on standard drug tests because Adderall contains several kinds of amphetamines. More about different types of Adderall drug tests here.

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Yes. Adderall will show up on a drug test as an amphetamine.

Why order a drug test for Adderall?

Adderall narcotic amphetamines are used to treat a variety of disorders, including ADHD. When used as a medication in someone with a disorder, Adderall doesn’t create a euphoric high and is unlikely to be abused. However, many people who have no medical need for Adderall enjoy using and abusing it recreationally, perceiving it as “safer” than street amphetamines. Drug testing by employers or law enforcement can be used to uncover out illicit Adderall use in workers and patients.

Many employers routinely require a test for illegal drug use from prospective employees. While Adderall has legitimate uses as a prescription stimulant for treating the symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy, it is also used for weight loss or performance enhancement. Unfortunately, a drug test can’t discriminate between prescription amphetamines and those sold as street drugs, so if you’re taking a stimulate medication for any reason, you need to let the test administrator know beforehand.

Types of Adderall drug screens

Adderall is most likely to show up as a potential illicit drug in a urine test. Hair and sweat testing may also be used as part of a drug-treatment program, but are less common and often more expensive. Blood testing for Adderall may be ordered in some cases. The main tests used in Adderall drug screening include:

1. Blood sample drug tests for Adderall
2. Hair sample drug tests for Adderall
3. Sweat sample drug tests for Adderall
4. Urine sample drug tests for Adderall

Adderall detection

A urine screen will be looking for any amphetamine use, not Adderall specifically. Adderall will show up in urine for up to 4 days after taking a single Adderall dose – sometimes up to a week, with chronic or heavy use. Most initial cutoff levels for amphetamines begin at 1000 ng/mL and require a confirmation test of 500 ng/ml to confirm the presence of amphetamines in the system.

Adderall abuse and blood concentration

Blood testing can give the most specific information about a person’s Adderall use. Therapeutic use usually results in blood concentrations of 0.02-0.05 mg/L. Concentrations higher than 0.2 mg/L represent abuse of the drug.

Positive drug testing for Adderall

If you have a prescription for Adderall, don’t worry about it affecting your drug test. Simply bring your prescription pill bottle or a letter from your doctor with you to the drug screen. Have your doctor’s information on hand in case the lab needs to verify your prescription. This should clear up any confusion about the results and won’t disqualify you from any job.

Do I have a problem with Adderall?

If you think that you have a problem with Adderall, you probably do.  But can you die from Adderall?  Yes, Adderall has caused cases of sudden death.  But there is help available for overuse, misuse or problems with Adderall. Please leave us your questions about Adderall use, Adderall detection, or stopping Adderall below. We will be happy to respond to you with a personal and prompt reply.

Reference Sources:  NHTSA Drug and Human Performance Fact Sheets: Methamphetamine (And Amphetamine)
Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Violence Prevention: Prescription Stimulants: Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine
FDA Medication Guide: Adderall XR
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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