How do tests determine cocaethylene?

Cocaethylene is typically detected through toxicological tests that analyze biological samples such as blood, urine, or hair. These tests use techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify and quantify the presence of cocaethylene, which is formed in the body when cocaine and alcohol are consumed simultaneously. The tests specifically look for the metabolite, which has a distinct chemical structure that can be differentiated from cocaine and its other metabolites.