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ContextLittle is known about the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain among patients with different types of chemical dependency.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence and to examine the characteristics of chronic severe pain in chemically dependent populations receiving methadone maintenance or inpatient residential treatment.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsRepresentative samples of 390 patients from 2 methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTPs) and 531 patients from 13 short-term residential substance abuse treatment (inpatient) programs, all in New York State, were surveyed in late 2000 and early 2001.Main Outcome MeasurePrevalence of chronic severe pain, defined as pain that persisted for more than 6 months and was of moderate to severe intensity or that significantly interfered with daily activities.ResultsChronic severe pain was experienced by 37% of MMTP patients (95 …