Yes, You Can Get a DUI for Adderall—‘Absolutely Not!’ Explains How It Happens

You take your Adderall like you’re supposed to—morning routine, coffee, keys, car, go. It’s prescribed by your doctor, it helps you function, and honestly, it’s the only reason you make it through the workday. You’re doing everything right…until you realize you can still get arrested for it.

On Absolutely Not!, host Heather McMahan takes a voicemail from a listener who learned this the hard way: nine cops, a blood test at the jail, and a DUI charge for having “out of therapeutic range” Adderall in her system. It’s a wild situation, but also a wake-up call about what can get you flagged behind the wheel and what to do if it happens.

Yes, you absolutely can get arrested for your prescription meds

“I feel like you got bamboozled on this one,” McMahan says after listening to the caller’s story. “How many mothers out there, how many women in general are on some sort of methamphetamine to make it through the day?” she asks, referring to prescription versions like Adderall and Vyvanse. If cops set up random checkpoints, she jokes, “everybody is on some sort of stimulant.” She’s not exactly wrong—everyone’s running on something these days. Coffee, Celsius, Adderall, you name it. Nearly every adult has caffeine in their system daily, and according to the CDC, prescriptions for stimulants have only gone up.

But here’s the part most people don’t realize: “Out of therapeutic range” doesn’t mean you took too much, it means your blood levels tested higher than the medical textbook average. That can happen from things like timing or metabolism. But legally? That’s enough to count as “impaired.” 

What actually gets you flagged as ‘impaired’

So why did this woman get slapped with a DUI when she wasn’t drunk? Because “impaired” doesn’t just mean slurring your words after tequila shots. Cops are trained to look at everything. How you’re driving, how you act when they approach your window, how fast you’re talking, how your eyes move, if your pupils are huge, or if you seem jumpy or spaced out.

“If you ever get pulled over and anything’s in your system, you’re most likely going to jail,” McMahan says, quoting her sister, who’s a criminal defense attorney. It’s not legal advice, but reality. Even if your meds keep you sharp behind the wheel, if something about your behavior reads “off,” officers have enough probable cause to dig deeper.

And once that happens? It’s game over. McMahan jokes, “Maybe your pupils were a little too dilated.” Half funny, half terrifying, but it shows how subjective impairment can look from the outside.

Truth be told, field sobriety tests weren’t built for Adderall. They check for things like balance issues or slurred speech—classic drunk-person symptoms. But if you’re anxious, fidgety, talking fast, or shaking because you’re overstimulated (or just nervous), that can still read as “under the influence.”

Breathalyzer comes back clean? Doesn’t matter. If you seem off and they suspect anything beyond alcohol, you’re likely getting hauled in for a blood draw. And if that test shows an elevated level of any controlled substance, you’re getting hit with the same charge.

How to protect yourself

“Impaired” covers way more than you think. So if you’re taking any kind of prescription that messes with your focus, timing, or energy—even just a little—you have to be smart about how and when you drive.

Start with timing. If your meds make you jittery, spaced out, or overly alert right after taking them, don’t rush to grab your keys. Even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that perfectly legal prescriptions can slow reaction time, mess with judgment, or make you tired depending on the dose. When in doubt, wait it out.

That goes hand in hand with knowing your meds. Changes in dosage, new prescriptions, or even being dehydrated can bump your blood levels into that dreaded “out of therapeutic range.” Ask your pharmacist how long after taking your medication it’s safe to drive, and actually follow that advice. 

And if you ever feel off? Don’t drive, period. Call a friend, grab a taxi, or reschedule your morning commute—whatever it takes. “This is why Uber and Lyft are always a good idea,” McMahan points out. In other words, convenience isn’t worth a court date.

If you do end up pulled over, what you say next matters just as much. You don’t need to unpack your entire medical history on the side of the road. Hand over your license, registration, and insurance—and stop there. No need to list prescriptions or explain what you’re on. “Be honest, but don’t volunteer information,” McMahan says. Answer what’s asked and nothing more. 

The line between “safe” and “impaired” isn’t always clear, and as this story shows, even doing everything right doesn’t always protect you. So stay aware, know your rights, and maybe think twice before starting your morning commute on an empty stomach and 30 milligrams of motivation. For more insights, tune into Absolutely Not!, streaming now. 

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