From Dr. Michael O. Smith’s legacy to a larger vision of behavioural health, prevention and community wellbeing.
At the NADA GB 2026 Conference, held on 24 October 2026 in the UK, Suneel Vatsyayan, Social Worker, Addiction Therapist and NADA Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist from India, shared his perspective on “NADA India’s Vision: Beyond Needles.”
His video presentation, featured in the conference programme under “NADA’s Role in Behavioural Health”, explored how the NADA Protocol can contribute to a wider ecosystem of engagement, recovery, prevention and community wellbeing.
Beyond the Protocol: The Person at the Centre
Suneel’s journey with NADA began in 1999, when he was trained under Dr. Michael O. Smith and Ruth Ackerman at the Navjyoti Delhi Police Foundation. He continued his training at Lincoln Recovery Center, New York, in 2001.
Coming from a social work background, he developed an understanding of NADA that extended beyond the technical application of ear acupuncture.
He observed that people experiencing addiction and other psychosocial difficulties do not always arrive ready for counselling, treatment or rehabilitation. Sometimes, the first step is simply creating an opportunity for engagement, building rapport and establishing trust.
This experience shaped his belief that NADA can serve as an adjunctive approach within a broader therapeutic and community-based environment.
From Treatment to Prevention
Over the years, NADA India’s experience has extended across addiction treatment, rehabilitation, correctional settings, community initiatives and work with young people and families.
Suneel highlighted the importance of connecting NADA with social work, behavioural health, mental health, peer support and public health.
He also emphasised that NADA should not be viewed as a replacement for established medical or psychological interventions. Rather, when practised with appropriate training, consent, safety and professional boundaries, it may create opportunities for early engagement and appropriate referral.
His central message was that prevention and treatment should be understood as a continuum.
Prevention is social. It begins with relationships, trust, belonging and opportunities to seek support before a crisis develops.
Nada India as Part of the Global NADA Family
The NADA GB 2026 programme brought together experiences from practitioners and colleagues across the UK, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Colombia.
Presentations explored NADA applications in trauma and cancer care, maternal services, dental care, elderly and dementia care, psychiatric settings, prisons, community mental health and other psychosocial settings.
India’s contribution added a social work and public health perspective to these international conversations.
Suneel also reflected on NADA India’s experience and professional relationships extending beyond India, including Nepal, Malaysia and communities along the Myanmar–Thailand border.
The exchange reinforced the importance of learning across countries while respecting the distinct contexts and autonomous contributions of individual NADA chapters.
What Does Expansion Really Mean?
For Suneel, the future of NADA should not be measured simply by the number of practitioners trained or treatment centres established.
Meaningful expansion means creating stronger connections with:
Social work and community development.
Behavioural health and mental health services.
Peer-led recovery and community support.
Prevention and early psychosocial engagement.
Referral pathways to appropriate professional care.
Public health and integrated wellbeing initiatives.
The focus must remain on responsible practice, professional standards, informed consent and the dignity of the individual.
From Dr. Smith’s Legacy to a Larger Community Vision
Reflecting on Dr. Michael O. Smith’s contribution, Suneel emphasised that the significance of NADA lies not only in the protocol but also in the possibilities created around the encounter.
A person may enter a space without being ready to identify as a patient. They can sit, connect, listen and gradually develop trust. That initial engagement may become a bridge towards counselling, treatment, recovery or other appropriate support.
His vision for NADA India can be captured in four transitions:
From the needle to the person.
From intervention to engagement.
From treatment to prevention.
From the individual to the community.
The needle remains important. The protocol remains important. But the person, the relationship and the community must remain at the centre.
That is the larger vision of NADA India: Beyond Needles.
About Suneel Vatsyayan
Suneel Vatsyayan is a social worker, addiction therapist, life coach and NADA Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist. He has worked in addiction treatment, rehabilitation, correctional services, community development and public health. He leads Vidya Lead Academy and has contributed to the development and dissemination of the NADA approach in India and internationally.
Further reading and resources:
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