What is Speed?
Speed is a common street name for amphetamine, a powerful central nervous system stimulant. While some amphetamines are prescribed by doctors to treat conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy, “speed” almost always refers to amphetamines that are used illicitly. These stimulants speed up the messages traveling between the brain and the body, creating a sense of increased energy and alertness. Because of its high potential for misuse, it’s important to understand the risks associated with drug addiction. Other street names you might hear include Uppers, Bennies, and Black Beauties.
How Long Do Amphetamines Stay In The Urine, Blood and Hair Samples?
How long speed stays in your system depends on the type of drug test used. The key to understanding this is a drug’s “half-life,” which is the time it takes for half of the substance to be eliminated from your bloodstream. Amphetamines typically have a half-life of about 10-13 hours, but it takes several half-lives for the drug to become undetectable. Different tests can find traces of the substance for varying lengths of time after use. A comprehensive drug detox program considers these detection windows when creating a treatment plan. Here’s a breakdown of the detection times for amphetamines.
| Test Type | Detection Window | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Urine Test | Average User: 1-3 days | Most common for workplace and legal testing. |
| Blood Test | Recent Use: Up to 48 hours | Detects if someone is currently under the influence. |
| Saliva Test | Recent Use: 1-2 days | Non-invasive, often used for roadside testing. |
| Hair Test | Long-term Use: Up to 90 days | Shows a history of use, not recent consumption. |
Urine Tests for Amphetamine
Urine tests are the most frequently used method for detecting amphetamines. For an average user, a urine sample can test positive for about 1-3 days after the last use. For those who use speed heavily or frequently, this detection window can sometimes extend for up to a week. Because it’s non-invasive and provides a reliable window of recent use, it’s the standard for most employment and legal drug screening.
Blood Tests for Amphetamine
A blood test offers a much shorter detection window. Speed can typically be found in the bloodstream for up to 48 hours after use. These tests are more invasive and expensive than urine tests, so they are often used in situations where it’s necessary to determine if a person is actively under the influence of the drug, such as after an accident.
Saliva Tests for Amphetamine
Saliva tests, or oral fluid tests, are becoming more common because they are easy to administer and hard to tamper with. The detection window for speed in saliva is relatively short, usually around 1-2 days. This makes them effective for detecting very recent use, which is why they are sometimes used for roadside drug testing by law enforcement.
Hair Tests for Amphetamine
For a long-term look at drug use, a hair follicle test is used. Amphetamines can be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days, or three months, after the last use. This test doesn’t show recent consumption but rather provides a history of drug use over time. It can be a useful tool in legal or clinical settings where understanding a person’s pattern of use is important.
Impacting Factors of How Long Amphetamines Stay in Your System
The detection timelines provided are just averages. The actual time speed stays in your system can vary from person to person based on a handful of individual factors. How your body processes substances is unique, and understanding these influences can help explain why detection windows aren’t always set in stone. The process of drug withdrawal and clearance is affected by these variables.
- Metabolism: Everyone’s metabolic rate is different. A faster metabolism will process and eliminate substances more quickly.
- Body Mass and Fat Content: Your weight and body composition can influence how drugs are stored and released in your system over time.
- Age: Metabolic processes can slow down with age, which may cause drugs to remain in the system longer.
- Dosage and Frequency of Use: A higher dose or more frequent use means more of the substance needs to be cleared, extending the detection time. Chronic use leads to accumulation in the body.
- Overall Health: Your liver and kidney function are crucial for filtering substances from your body. If these organs aren’t working at full capacity, elimination can be significantly delayed.
Stopping speed by yourself without any professional medical advice is dangerous. Before you stop taking amphetamines, please seek out licensed medical professionals that can help walk you through the withdrawal process.
Side Effects of Amphetamine Abuse
Knowing how long speed stays in your system is important, but understanding why it matters for your health is even more critical. Using amphetamines, especially outside of a doctor’s care, comes with significant risks that can impact your physical and mental well-being. The effects can range from immediate and temporary to severe and long-lasting. Recognizing these risks is a key step toward making choices that protect your health and future.
Short-Term Effects of Amphetamines:
In the short term, speed and other illicit drugs can make you feel euphoric and full of energy, but it also puts a major strain on your body. These effects can appear quickly and may be dangerous.
- Increased heart rate and high blood pressure, raising the risk of a heart attack
- Feelings of agitation, aggression, or paranoia
- Reduced appetite and inability to sleep
- Increased body temperature and risk of overheating
Long-Term Effects of Amphetamine Drug Use:
With continued use, the risks become more severe and can lead to lasting health problems. The body and brain begin to change in response to the drug, leading to dependency and other serious consequences of substance abuse.
- Development of addiction and physical dependence
- Severe dental problems (often called “meth mouth”)
- Chronic psychosis, paranoia, and hallucinations
- Permanent damage to the heart, brain, and other organs
Can You Overdose on Speed?
Yes, you can absolutely overdose on speed, and it is a life-threatening medical emergency. An overdose happens when the body is overwhelmed by the toxic effects of the drug, leading to severe and dangerous symptoms. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, this can cause significant harm to the cardiovascular and neurological systems. If you see these signs, call 911 immediately.
- Chest pain or signs of a heart attack
- Seizures or uncontrollable tremors
- High body temperature and profuse sweating
- Severe agitation, confusion, or paranoia
- Difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness
If you’re worried about your use or someone else’s, our team is here to help 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard drug test may include urine tests, blood tests, saliva tests, or hair samples. Urine is the most common method because amphetamines stay detectable there longer than in blood. Hair tests can identify long drug use patterns by analyzing hair follicles. Each test has a different detection window, and false positives are possible in some cases. Certain prescription medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can also result in a positive result. Confirmatory testing helps determine the specific drug involved.
Several factors influence how long amphetamines stay in your system. These include the half life of the specific drug, the dose taken, frequency of substance use, body composition, liver health, urine pH, and whether other substances like alcohol were used. Long amphetamines stay in the body longer with repeated amphetamine abuse compared to a single use. Individual differences in metabolism also affect how quickly the central nervous system processes stimulant drugs.
How long amphetamines stay in your system depends on the specific drug, your last dose, and other factors like liver function, urine pH, and overall health. In general, stimulant drugs such as meth (a common street name for methamphetamine) can be detected in urine tests for about 1–4 days after amphetamine use. Blood tests usually detect amphetamines for a shorter window, often up to 24 hours. Saliva tests may detect the drug for 1–2 days, while hair tests can show amphetamines in hair follicles for up to 90 days. These different timeframes vary based on dose, frequency of drug use, metabolism, and whether other drugs or alcohol were used.
Treatment for Speed Addiction
If you’re ready to find a path away from substance use disorder, please know that recovery is possible and help is available. The first step is often the hardest, but you don’t have to take it alone. Effective, evidence-based addiction treatment programs start with a safe medical detox to manage withdrawal symptoms comfortably. From there, therapy in an outpatient or inpatient setting can help you build the skills needed for lasting recovery.
Our team at Sober Centers of America is here to listen and provide guidance. For a confidential conversation about your options, call us at (888) 720-8239 or feel free to contact us online. We can help you find the right path forward.
Sources
- Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Fact Sheet: Amphetamines. Drug Enforcement Administration.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2023, July 31). Amphetamine – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf – NIH. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- MedlinePlus. (2025, July 15). Amphetamine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. MedlinePlus.
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. Management of Stimulant Use Disorder – ASAM. American Society of Addiction Medicine.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024, August 21). Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024, November 7). What are Stimulants? Side Effects, Short and Long Term Risks. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, August 28). Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Stimulants – CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- PubMed Central. (2016, March 30). OBJECTIVE TESTING – URINE AND OTHER DRUG TESTS – PMC. PubMed Central.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Client’s Handbook: Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People …. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2024, May 6). Amphetamine Toxicity – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf – NIH. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
