How to get prescribed Adderall

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician
Updated Jan 22, 2026  •  Published Jan 7, 2026
Fact Checked

Generally, you can get prescribed Adderall by completing a thorough ADHD evaluation with a licensed healthcare provider. This is primarily because there is no single test for ADHD, so doctors rely on clinical interviews, behavioral scales, and symptom history to determine whether Adderall is appropriate, sometimes requiring specialist referral or ongoing monitoring.

Key takeaways

  • There is no single test for ADHD. Diagnosis relies on clinical interviews and validated tools like the Vanderbilt Assessment Scale or Conners’ Rating Scale.

  • ADHD affects more than 366 million adults worldwide, according to the Journal of Global Health, and symptoms often overlap with anxiety or depression.

  • Adderall is classified by the DEA as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and cannot be refilled automatically.

Ways to get an Adderall prescription
Method Evaluation required Regulatory notes Convenience
In-person doctor visit Comprehensive clinical evaluation Long-standing standard of care Moderate
Telehealth provider Virtual ADHD evaluation DEA allows remote prescribing through 2026 High
Unauthorized sources None Unsafe and illegal High risk

Expert perspective

  • Ryan Sultán, MD, Psychiatrist & Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry

“The decision to prescribe Adderall depends on the severity and impact of ADHD symptoms on the patient’s daily life, their medical history, and how they’ve responded to other treatments. Age is also a crucial factor since stimulant medications like Adderall are typically more suited for certain age groups.”

  • Expert bio: Dr. Sultán is a psychiatrist at Integrative Psych and an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University.

  • Verification

Want more info? Read our full guide: How to get an Adderall prescription

Patient assistance resources

Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance and requires a valid prescription. If you are a prescribed patient navigating an Adderall shortage or rising costs, you can use SingleCare to find the most stable pricing at local pharmacies. Compare Adderall prices & find coupons

Medical disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your psychiatrist or other healthcare provider before making changes to your medication regimen.

Sources

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician

Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH, is a board-certified family physician, writer, editor, teacher, and consultant. She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and trained at West Suburban Family Medicine in Oak Park, Illinois. She later completed a fellowship in community medicine at PCC Community Wellness and a master's in Public Health at the University of Illinois-Chicago. She lives with her family near Chicago.

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