The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a standardized methadone weaning treatment protocol and whether it leads to a reduction in the total number of days needed to wean opioids after prolonged exposure. The use of this protocol may also promote a reduction in abstinence syndrome symptoms. Patients will be converted from continuous intravenous opioid infusions to one of three methadone dosing schedules. Initial methadone dose conversion will be equipotent to the previously administered continuous intravenous opioid infusion. Subsequently, a methadone weaning schedule will follow according to the guidelines set forth by the Methadone Wean Protocol Also, concurrent validity and reliability testing will be performed on the Pediatric Abstinence Syndrome Scoring Sheet, which is a pediatric-specific abstinence syndrome assessment tool.

To assure consistency and compliance to the protocol, a standardized physician's order form for methadone wean was developed. This order form includes a step-by-step calculation approach for conversion from continuous opioid to intermittent methadone.