# How Long Do Amphetamines Stay In Your System? > Discover how long amphetamines stay in your body and the tests that can detect them. Get informed about addiction treatment and other support options. [Home](/) / [Blog](/blog/) / Drugs Drugs # How Long Do Amphetamines Stay In Your System? Discover how long amphetamines stay in your body and the tests that can detect them. Get informed about addiction treatment and other support options. Written byKristel Mae DavidClinical Editor Clinically reviewed by[Lucy Britton](/clinical-team/)Clinical Therapist Checked for clinical accuracy on 25 July 2026. Next review due July 2027. This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Amphetamines can be detectable for anywhere between about 12 hours and 90 days, and the difference is almost entirely down to which test is used rather than to the person. Blood detects use for up to about 12 hours, saliva for 1 to 2 days, urine for 1 to 3 days, and hair for up to 90 days. ## A note before you read on This article is general information, not medical advice about your own situation. If you are worried about your own or someone else's substance use, speak to your GP. In an emergency call 999 in the UK, or 112 anywhere in Europe. Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system. Many people use these types of drugs to make themselves feel awake and alert. Doctors may also prescribe amphetamines to address disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Even if amphetamines can be prescribed for medical use, it still has a high potential for abuse. This is why it's important never to take them without a doctor's prescription. Misuse can lead to serious psychological and physical consequences. ## How Long Do Amphetamines Stay in Your System? Amphetamines can stay in your system anywhere from 12 hours to 90 days. The time the drug is detectable will depend on the type of drug test used and other factors. Learning about the different drug tests and factors can provide more insight into how long amphetamines stay in your system. Timelines vary from person to person, which is why the assessment happens before anything is booked. ## Drug Tests That Detect Amphetamine Use Different types of drug tests can be used to detect any trace of amphetamine use. Here's an overview of these tests, how they're administered, and when they're typically done. ### Urine The urine test is the most common drug testing method for amphetamine abuse. It can detect amphetamines for 1 to 3 days after last use. This type of test is administered by taking a urine sample and sending it for lab testing. Urine tests are non-invasive and relatively inexpensive, so they're typically conducted in workplaces or during medical evaluations. ### Blood Blood tests involve drawing a small amount of blood for amphetamine detection. This testing method is typically less common but can detect the drug in blood for up to 12 hours after the last dose. Despite its short detection window, blood tests provide a more accurate indication of current use. This is why they're used in situations that require precise and immediate results. ### Saliva Saliva tests are administered by taking a saliva sample, typically from the inside of the cheek. They can detect amphetamines in the body 1 to 2 days after use. This type of test is typically used during roadside testing or other settings that require rapid results. ### Hair Hair tests use a hair sample that includes the hair follicle. This type of test has the longest detection window and can show drug use for up to 90 days after use. Due to the test's long-term detection time, it's typically used in forensic drug investigations or long-term drug monitoring scenarios. ## Factors That Affect How Long Amphetamines Stay in Your System Various factors can affect how long amphetamines can be detected in your system. They all influence how quickly your body processes the drug. ### Dosage and Frequency of Use Those who use amphetamines in large doses may have detectable levels of the drug for longer periods. Frequent use of the drug will also cause accumulation of amphetamines in the body. ### Metabolism People with slower metabolisms will process amphetamines slower than others. This results in a longer detection period. Age, genetics, and certain medical conditions can all make a person's metabolism slower. ### Age Age is another factor that influences how long it takes to eliminate amphetamines from the body. Since older adults typically have slower metabolisms, they will excrete the drug more slowly. As a result, drug tests can detect amphetamines for a longer time compared to younger adults. ### Health Conditions Certain health conditions also affect how long it takes to process amphetamines in the body. People with liver or kidney problems may have a difficult time breaking down amphetamines, leading to prolonged detection times. ### Type of Amphetamine Used The type of amphetamine used will also affect how long it remains detectable. Prescription amphetamines will typically have a set detection time since they're regulated and taken under a doctor's supervision. For instance, Adderall can be detected anywhere from 1 to 5 days, depending on the formulation. Illicit amphetamines, such as methamphetamines and MDMA, will have varying detection times. This is because the purity and presence of adulterants can influence how long the drug is processed. ## How Are Amphetamines Metabolised in the Body? Amphetamines are metabolised through different enzymatic processes. The liver is the main organ that metabolises and breaks down amphetamines. Special liver enzymes help change amphetamines into a form that the body can easily remove. After being processed by the liver, amphetamines are then excreted through the kidneys. Genetic differences and urine pH may also influence excretion. If amphetamines are taken at the same time as other harmful substances, the combination can induce the enzymes responsible for metabolising the drug. ### Do you think you or someone you love has a problem with addiction? You do not have to be certain before you pick up the phone. One confidential call with a clinician will tell you whether this is something to act on now. [Take the self-assessment](/self-assessment/) [+44 1202 653136](tel:+441202653136) ## What Happens if an Amphetamine Test Comes Back Positive? Different outcomes can happen when an amphetamine drug test comes back positive. If it's detected that the amphetamine use is for a legitimate medical prescription, the positive result is fine. Sometimes, a prescription must be provided to a healthcare provider or testing centre for confirmation. On the other hand, if the test shows that amphetamine is used without a prescription or due to illicit drugs, there can be various negative consequences. For instance, testing positive on a drug test for the workplace can lead to disciplinary action or termination of contract. Positive tests can result in legal penalties and probation violations in legal proceedings. Testing positive in the athletic setting can lead to suspensions and disqualifications from competing. ## How to Get Amphetamines Out of Your System Getting amphetamines out of your system will depend on how your body processes the drug. Amphetamines will go through the liver, which will be metabolised and then excreted through urine. However, it's important to remember that there is no "faster" way to eliminate amphetamines from the body. The process will entirely depend on how your body metabolises the drug. As such, it's best to be wary about "detox kits" that claim to eliminate and flush out harmful drugs from your body. The best way to get amphetamines out of your system is to live a healthy lifestyle. Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet can keep your organs working properly to metabolise and eliminate drugs effectively. It's also important to avoid further amphetamine use that can slow down elimination. ## Treatment for Amphetamine Addiction at Sierra Recovery Amphetamine addiction can cause serious consequences for the person suffering the addiction as well as the people around them. Proper treatment is necessary to overcome addiction and build healthy habits that lead to a substance-free life. At Sierra Recovery, we provide comprehensive treatment for clients looking to overcome substance use disorder. Our team has years of experience providing addiction treatment and is happy to help you achieve sobriety. Contact us today to know more. Get the treatment you need today Last reviewed 2026-07-25. Next review 2027-07-25. ### Treating addiction takes more than willpower Three structured group sessions a day, individual therapy, and a seventeen module curriculum. Admission usually within days of the assessment. [See how admission works](/admissions/) [+44 1202 653136](tel:+441202653136) ## Questions people actually ask What Are Amphetamines? Amphetamines are drugs that stimulate the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for increasing alertness and focus. While they have some medical uses, inappropriate use of amphetamines can be dangerous. What Are the Side Effects of Amphetamine Use? Some of the common side effects of amphetamine use include insomnia, increased heart rate, anxiety, loss of appetite, and dry mouth. Those who take amphetamines in large and frequent doses are at risk of severe side effects such as high blood pressure, dependency, and overdose. What Happens During Treatment for Amphetamine Addiction? During treatment for amphetamine addiction, clients will go through different therapies to address the root of the addiction. In some cases, a medical detox may be required to manage the symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal. Can I Get a False Positive on an Amphetamine Drug Test? Yes, it's possible to have a false positive on an amphetamine drug test. This can occur due to other medications, supplements, or user error. When this happens, additional confirmatory tests are conducted to determine accuracy. How long do amphetamines stay in urine? Roughly 1 to 3 days after last use. Urine testing is the most common method because it is non-invasive and relatively inexpensive, which is why it is typically used in workplaces and during medical evaluations. How long do amphetamines show up in blood, saliva and hair? Blood tests detect amphetamines for up to about 12 hours, which is a short window but gives an accurate picture of current use. Saliva tests detect them for 1 to 2 days and are often used for roadside testing. Hair testing has the longest window at up to 90 days and is mainly used in forensic or long-term monitoring settings. What affects how long amphetamines stay in your system? Dose and frequency matter most: larger doses stay detectable longer, and frequent use allows the drug to accumulate. Metabolism is the other main factor, and it is influenced by age, genetics and certain medical conditions. Why do the detection windows vary so much? Because each test looks at a different thing. Blood shows what is circulating right now, saliva and urine show recent use, and hair records a much longer history as it grows. The drug has not behaved differently, the test has simply looked further back. + ## Talk to a clinician today You will speak to our admissions team, English-speaking clinicians who know the programme and the people in it. Callback within 24 hours. Step 1 of 3 Confidential, and no obligation Registered health centre. Authorised by the Junta de Andalucía, N.I.C.A. 67331. ### Related pages [Drug rehab in Spain](/drug-addiction/)[Our residential programme](/our-programme-at-sierra-recovery/)[What treatment costs](/pricing/)[How admission works](/admissions/)[How to Detox Your Body from Cocaine: Detox from Cocaine Safely](/how-to-detox-your-body-from-cocaine/)[How to Get Help for Heroin Addiction](/how-to-get-help-for-heroin-addiction/)[How Long Does It Take To Detox From Cocaine?](/how-long-does-it-take-to-detox-from-cocaine/)[How Long Does It Take to Detox from Heroin?](/how-long-does-it-take-to-detox-from-heroin/)[Residential Treatment in Spain](/residential-treatment/)[Am I Addicted? Free Self-Assessment](/self-assessment/) --- Source: https://sierrarecoveryspain.com/how-long-do-amphetamines-stay-in-your-system/ Retrieved: 2026-08-27 Canonical HTML version of this page: https://sierrarecoveryspain.com/how-long-do-amphetamines-stay-in-your-system/