EXPERT GUIDANCE BUSINESS
Head Up Services
Because recovery doesn’t end at treatment—and dignity doesn’t start at a desk.
Call us any time
17+
Years of Experience
Who We Are
Head Up Services was founded by someone who’s lived both sides of the story:
A former HR executive who led teams across all 50 states
A person in long-term recovery who knows what it’s like to face stigma, gaps, and rebuilding
A coach and consultant who believes change doesn’t just happen—it’s built, with structure and support
We bring lived experience, professional insight, and evidence-based strategies to every conversation.
OUR SERVICES
What We Do
We provide workforce reentry coaching, HR consulting, and recovery-informed training that equips everyone—clients, employers, and recovery centers—with the tools and language to navigate the complex intersection of addiction, employment, and dignity.
For Recovery Centers
Extend your impact. Empower long-term recovery.
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At Head Up Services, we help treatment programs bridge the gap between recovery and reentry—because healing doesn’t end at discharge.​
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We offer workforce readiness services that equip clients with confidence, purpose, and tools for rebuilding. Our solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into your clinical model, reinforcing your mission and supporting sustained recovery outcomes.
Why Head Up?
Because we bring lived experience and professional expertise—together.
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Head Up Services stands apart from traditional career coaches and HR consultants by bridging two critical perspectives:
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The real-world challenges of recovery and reentry
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The technical knowledge of workplace compliance and human resources
Where most professionals offer one or the other, we offer both.
We understand the emotional and structural barriers that individuals face after treatment—and we also understand the systems, policies, and risk concerns that employers and clinicians must navigate.
This dual lens allows us to serve as a true connector between people in recovery, the organizations that support them, and the employers that can empower their next chapter.
We approach every client, every case, and every organization with three core values:
Dignity. Structure. Zero judgment.
Michael Vega
Founder of Head Up Services
Michael Vega is a seasoned Human Resources and Recruitment leader with nearly 20 years of experience guiding organizations through growth, crisis, and change. As a former Director of HR for a national company, he led multi-state teams, built compliant and compassionate workplace systems, and helped shape the employee experience for thousands of workers across the country.
Latest News Insight
The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Addiction in the Workplace
When companies avoid conversations about addiction, they don’t avoid the consequences. Substance use disorders cost U.S. businesses over $400 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, turnover, healthcare, and legal issues.
Yet more than 75% of employers report having no clear strategy to address it. That’s not just a gap—it’s a risk.
At Head Up Services, we help businesses turn risk into readiness. From second-chance hiring to policy compliance, our training and consulting services create workplaces that are safer, smarter, and more human.
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Insight: Addressing addiction isn’t a liability—it’s a leadership move.
Rebuilding After Treatment: Why Job Reentry Matters
Treatment is only the first step. True recovery requires opportunity, purpose, and stability—and employment plays a crucial role in all three.
But stigma, criminal records, and gaps in work history can make job reentry feel impossible. That’s where we come in.
Our coaching and certification programs equip individuals in recovery with the tools—and confidence—to return to the workforce with dignity. We don’t just help them find a job. We help them reclaim their future.
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Insight: Healing doesn’t end at discharge. It continue with structure, support, & chance to rebuild.
From Policy to Practice: How HR Can Support Recovery
A written policy is only as effective as the culture behind it. When managers aren’t trained on how to recognize signs of substance use, respond compassionately, or navigate ADA protections, even the best policies can fall short.
We help HR teams move from reactive to recovery-ready—through policy audits, leadership training, and stigma-reduction strategies that work in the real world.
Because when companies are prepared, people are protected.
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Insight: Compliance matters. But culture is what makes it real.