The first part of this paper identifies three distinct phases of thinking around the drug treatment workforce: phase 1. 2001-2005; phase 2. 2005-2008 and phase 3. 2007-2013. The second part of the paper focuses on four key roles at the heart of many newly established recovery-oriented treatment services: i) Clinicians; ii) Practitioners; iii) Managers and iv) Peer mentors and other recovery-oriented non-salaried roles. Part three of the paper looks very briefly at how organisations might develop sustainable, ethical, and productive workforce development strategies. The conclusion argues for a strong consensus on what constitutes successful treatment performance and also for a shared learning agenda in the ongoing development of our understanding of workforce requirements in the treatment field.