Doctors are basically indoctrinated by Big Pharma. That's a huge chunk of the curriculum, while much less emphasis is put on things that really matter (such as proper nutrition and exercise).
Of course there's all the funding and kickbacks received for pushing certain drugs as well. Less morally sound doctors would certainly take advantage of that all they could. Opioids have been prescribed for some pretty damn weak reasons. Should pretty much be used for cancer pain/to help dying patients cope a little easier and that's it.
You've never suffered a real injury then. You try recovering from a broken back without opiods. Try recovering from an mcl or acl tear without them. Try recovering from an abscessed tooth or dry socket without them.
There are many, many legit reasons for them. I should be on them right now due to an mcl tear and as of yesterday a groin pull and whiplash but Thailand is insanely against opiods, especially things like morphine or percs. I was given tramadol which is probably one of the weakest pain killers in the opiod family and they are doing fuck all for the pain and that's combined with muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories and self medication.
I mean there are weak reasons too. I had a root canal done and the dentist, before asking me, prescribed me a painkiller (albeit a weaker one). I ended up not using them due to not needing it, but it's that level of carelessness that could have presented me with a problem. ---