Amphetamines work to increase the presence of some chemicals in the brain and are commonly used for their stimulant abilities. Taking them can help boost energy levels and spurs the brain to communicate faster across neurotransmitters. While these drugs are typically prescribed to treat conditions such as narcolepsy and ADHD, people also take them to gain confidence, reduce inhibitions, and self-medicate mental health disorders. Overuse can lead to addiction and can have deadly consequences.
Whether you’ve been prescribed this medication or are misusing it, you may want to know for how long amphetamines are detected in your system. The short answer is that it ranges from one drug to the next, and there are variations between individuals. Understanding detection windows can also help when considering drug testing options and interpreting results.
Definition and Purpose
What Is an Amphetamine “Detection Window”?
The term, “detection windown,” refers to the time frame during which drugs are detectable in the body after consumption. The type of test used, the individual’s metabolism, and health status can influence this detection window. Adderall, for example, can remain in the system for three days, but its half-life is generally between 9 and 14 hours. The most common testing method for amphetamines is in urine, but it is also done through blood tests, saliva, and hair strands.
Most drug screenings, such as those related to employment screenings, will look for amphetamines present. Because methamphetamine is one of the most difficult-to-control addictive substances, testing for it is nearly always done in drug panels by health care screening, employment drug tests, and other types of background checks.
How Detection Windows Vary by Test Type
Amphetamine detection windows vary across different testing methods. For instance, urine tests can detect amphetamines for about one to three days following use. In contrast, blood tests offer a shorter detection window of 12 to 24 hours. Saliva tests are less invasive and have a similar detection window as blood tests. Hair strand tests stand out because they can reveal amphetamine use for up to three months, as traces of the drug become incorporated into hair as it grows.
Why Does It Matter?
Recogizing these variations in testing windows can help both those administering tests and those undergoing tests understand what a positive result might mean. Whether it is a workplace screening, legal investigation, or medical evaluation, accurate interpretation of results can significantly impact decisions and outcomes.
Legal, Workplace, and Health-Related Implications
Amphetamines are considered a Schedule II control substance. This means they are at high risk of becoming addictive. Doctors prescribe them to help people with conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. Sometimes, doctors prescribe them to people who are obese. Any use without a prescription is considered illegal in the United States.
There are many reasons for determining if there are drugs in a person’s system. It is common for employers to drug-test employees to ensure it is safe for them to work. Testing also occurs in schools and private organizations. For people who have a substance use disorder, routine testing for amphetamines helps ensure they remain sober.
Detection Methods
Urine Tests
The most common method for testing for meth and other amphetamines is through urine testing. Various factors impact how long stimulants are in urine, including the type as well as the amount consumed.
Amphetamines may be detected in an individual’s urine for up to three days after recreational use. However, in those who are regular users of the drug, the detection range can extend for up to a week after the last intake.
With methamphetamine, it is common to detect for up to three days. Other drugs, such as 3, 4-methylenedioxy amphetamine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDA and MDMA), can be detected for up to two days in urine. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine can remain present for up to five days. For this type of detection, users will need to urinate into a sample container. Testing professionals only take a few minutes to determine whether the test is positive.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are only effective for up to 12 hours after a person uses the drug. After this point, the amphetamines are no longer racing through the body to provide their effects. A good rule of thumb is that amphetamines can be detected in your blood for as long as you feel intoxicated. There are some variations between types of drugs. For instance, the meth detection window may be slightly longer than dextroamphetamine.
This brief detection period makes them particularly valuable when immediate impairment evaluation is needed. A blood test can quickly confirm whether an individual presenting to the emergency room has recently used amphetamines, so that medical professionals can decide on an appropriate treatment.
Hair Tests
An effective way of detecting the presence of amphetamines in a person’s body for a much longer time is through a strand of hair. Hair collects substances within each strand for months or longer. That is why it is possible to gather insight into drug use for up to 90 days.
Hair tests do not provide insight into recent use, however. They can also be less accurate for occasional drug use. That’s because it can take seven to ten days for a substance to travel from the bloodstream into the hair follicles and for the hair follicles to grow enough to show the presence of the drug.
There are some limitations to using hair as a detection method. For example, color can impact the testing results, as amphetamines tend to bind better with darker colors. The use of chemical treatments, the growth rate of hair, and a person’s overall hair hygiene can also affect accuracy.
Saliva Tests
An oral fluid test, though less commonly used, can sometimes detect amphetamine use for up to 48 hours. Because it is an easy method for gathering drug use information, it is frequently used in police-related testing. The process does not take long and is not invasive. The most common procedure involves using an absorbent pad or swab to wipe the saliva from the inside of a person’s mouth.
Factors Influencing Detection Windows
Individual Factors
Everyone’s body is different, meaning detection times can vary from one person to the next. Those with a faster metabolism tend to process and eliminate amphetamines more quickly. Body mass and hydration levels also matter; a larger body mass or higher fluid intake can dilute drug concentrations. Additionally, age and general health influence how an individual’s system processes the drugs – younger or healthier individuals might clear substances from their system faster.
Substance-Specific Factors
The dosage and frequency of use can impact detection windows. An individual might eliminate a single dose relatively quickly. However, chronic use can lead to a buildup in the body, so it takes longer for the drugs to be eliminated. Higher purity may result in a more predictable metabolism, whereas adulterated products might contain other chemicals that alter the drug’s breakdown and elimination.
Test-Specific Factors
Different testing methods (urine, blood, saliva, or hair tests) have varying detection windows because they are designed with specific sensitivity levels. The cut-off threshold, meaning the lowest concentration required for a positive result, can further influence whether lower levels of amphetamines are detected.
Myths about Methods to “Beat” Drug Tests
It is not uncommon for people to try to find a way to beat drug testing for amphetamines. Athletes, employees, those with a criminal background, and those with a substance use disorder may be tempted to take this route if they’ve used amphetamines in the past and do not want to get caught doing so now.
Some people try to switch out urine for another substance (or another person’s urine) during a drug test. Some people purchase over-the-counter products in an effort to render drug tests ineffective. Other people try to use household chemicals to alter their drug results. Most of these methods are not reliable ways to beat a drug test.
If You’re Trying to Alter Results, You May Need Help
If you are worrying about an amphetamine drug test and the detection window for amphetamines, it may be worth asking yourself, honestly, whether you may be struggling with a drug use issue. With illicit drug use, it’s typically hard to stop using on one’s own. Many people with an amphetamine addiction need a detox program with residential care. If you are trying to avoid drug tests showing positive results, reach out for substance abuse treatment instead.
FHE provides comprehensive substance abuse treatment, including for amphetamines. If you or someone you know is at risk, we invite you to contact our compassionate counselors today to learn about treatment options.
