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SAM'SOATHWHAT'S HIDDEN DOESN'T HEAL

Terms & Conditions

Last updated: May 24, 2026

Welcome to Sam's OATH

By using the Sam's OATH website (samsoath.org), submitting content, or participating in any of our programs, you agree to these terms and conditions. Please read them carefully.

1. About Sam's OATH

Sam's OATH is a 501(c)(3) public charity and national community working to break the silence around substance use and mental health in families. We provide a platform for people to take Sam's OATH (Openness, Authenticity, Togetherness, Healing), share their stories, and connect with a community of support. Sam's OATH is not a treatment provider, crisis service, or substitute for professional help.

2. Adding Your Name to the Wall (“Supporting Someone”)

The homepage of Sam's OATH invites visitors who are quietly supporting someone they love through substance use or mental health struggles to add their own name to the wall as an act of openness. The wall names the supporter, not the person being supported. We will never put the name of the person you are supporting on this site because that person has not consented to be publicly associated with these struggles. Only you can consent to your own name being shown.

When you add your name to the wall, you agree that:

  • The name you submit is your own — your first name, initials, or a nickname you choose.
  • You will not submit the name of any other person without their explicit permission. Submissions appearing to name a third party (without consent) may be removed.
  • If you provide an optional city and state, an approximate (city-level) pin will appear on our community map. Your exact address is never displayed and is not collected.
  • If you provide an optional email address, you authorize Sam's OATH to use it solely for occasional quiet check-ins, community updates, and acknowledgement of your participation. We do not spam. We never publish your email on this site. We never share, sell, or rent your email or any personal information to any third party. You may unsubscribe at any time via the link in every email or by contacting us at hello@samsoath.org.
  • You may request removal of your wall entry, pin, and email at any time by contacting hello@samsoath.org. We honor those requests promptly.

3. Taking Sam's OATH

Sam's OATH is a personal pledge of commitment to openness, authenticity, togetherness, and healing. Taking the OATH is a symbolic act of solidarity. It is not a contract, membership agreement, or binding obligation. You may withdraw your OATH submission at any time.

When you take Sam's OATH, you agree that:

  • The information you provide (name, city, state, category) is accurate.
  • Your city and state will be displayed on our public community map. Map locations are approximate (city-level) and do not represent your exact address or precise location.
  • Your name will appear on the map according to your display preference (full name, first name only, initials, or anonymous).
  • You may request removal of your information at any time by contacting us.

4. Sharing Stories

When you submit a story, you agree that:

  • Your story is your own experience, told truthfully and in good faith.
  • You will not name specific individuals (other than yourself and your own family members who have consented) in a way that could identify or harm them.
  • Sam's OATH may edit your story for clarity, length, or sensitivity before publication, and will notify you of significant changes.
  • You grant Sam's OATH a non-exclusive license to publish your story on our website and in community-related materials.
  • You may request removal of your published story at any time.
  • Stories are reviewed by our moderation team before publication. We reserve the right to decline to publish any submission.

Editorial Adaptation of Stories and Featured Content

To protect the integrity of voices represented on this website, Sam's OATH discloses the following:

  • Some featured content is composed from real conversations and discussions.Quotes attributed to the Sheeder family, advisory board members, community supporters, and other named or relationally-described voices (for example, “A parent in Texas”) may be drafted, composed, or refined by the Sam's OATH editorial team based on actual conversations, interviews, written exchanges, or paraphrased discussions, rather than verbatim transcripts.
  • User-submitted stories may be edited for clarity, length, sensitivity, or to advance the educational and awareness goals of the Sam's OATH movement. We do not change the substance of what an author intends to say. We will notify a submitter of significant edits before publication.
  • Any person whose voice is represented in featured content can request removal or revision at any time by emailing hello@samsoath.org. We honor those requests promptly.
  • Where content is anonymized or attributed only by relation (parent, sibling, friend) and city, it represents a real human experience shared with us, even when specific identifying details have been removed or altered for privacy.

Story Guidelines

Stories submitted to Sam's OATH should reflect the spirit of this community. We do not publish stories that:

  • Contain hate speech, threats, or harassment.
  • Name individuals without their consent in a negative context.
  • Include graphic descriptions of self-harm or substance use.
  • Promote specific treatment facilities or products.
  • Contain spam, advertising, or unrelated content.
  • Violate any person's privacy or legal rights.

5. Newsletter & Communications

If you opt in to receive our newsletter or email communications:

  • We will only send content related to the Sam's OATH community.
  • We will never share your email address with any third party.
  • You may unsubscribe at any time via the link in every email.
  • We use your email solely for Sam's OATH communications.

6. Donations

Sam's OATH is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity. Donations made through the website are processed by Stripe, Inc. We do not store your payment card information. By making a donation, you acknowledge:

  • Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You will receive a confirmation email that may serve as a receipt for tax purposes. Consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility.
  • Donations are voluntary and non-refundable, except in cases of billing error. Contact info@samsoath.org for billing inquiries.
  • Your use of Stripe is subject to Stripe's Terms of Service.
  • Donation amounts and donor information (name and email) are stored securely. We do not publish donor names or amounts without explicit consent.

7. Ambassador Program

The Sam's OATH Ambassador Program allows individuals to represent and promote Sam's OATH in their communities. By applying to or participating in the Ambassador Program, you agree that:

  • You will represent Sam's OATH and its values (Openness, Authenticity, Togetherness, Healing) with integrity.
  • Personal information you provide in your application (name, email, location, motivation) will be reviewed by the Sam's OATH team and stored securely.
  • Ambassador status is voluntary and may be revoked by either party at any time.
  • Ambassadors are not employees, contractors, or agents of Sam's OATH. The Ambassador role is an unpaid, voluntary position.
  • Sam's OATH may feature your name, city, and ambassador activities on the website and in community materials, with your consent.

8. User Conduct

When using our website, you agree not to:

  • Submit false, misleading, or harmful information.
  • Use the website for any commercial or promotional purpose.
  • Attempt to access restricted areas of the website.
  • Interfere with the website's operation or security.
  • Scrape, harvest, or collect other users' information.

9. Not a Crisis Service

Sam's OATH is a community platform, not a crisis service, treatment provider, counseling service, or substitute for professional help of any kind. We do not provide medical advice, mental health treatment, substance use treatment, or clinical services. Content on this website, including stories, resources, and community materials, is for informational and inspirational purposes only.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis:

  • Call 988(Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
  • Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
  • Call 911 for emergencies
  • SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, free, confidential, 24/7)

Nothing on this website should delay or replace seeking professional help. Sam's OATH is not liable for any actions taken or not taken based on content found on this site.

10. Intellectual Property

All content on the Sam's OATH website, including text, images, music references, design, and the Sam's OATH framework, is the property of Sam's OATH and is protected by copyright. You may share links to our content and use our shareable graphics for community-related purposes. You may not reproduce, modify, or distribute our content for commercial purposes without permission.

11. Music

The music featured on our website is available through third-party streaming platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.). Streaming is subject to each platform's own terms of service. Sam's OATH embeds players for convenience but does not host or distribute the music directly.

12. Limitation of Liability

Sam's OATH provides this website and its content "as is." We make no warranties about the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of any information on the site. Sam's OATH is not liable for any decisions made or actions taken based on content published on this website. User-submitted stories represent the views and experiences of their authors, not of Sam's OATH.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. We will notify newsletter subscribers of significant changes.

14. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Any disputes will be resolved in the state and federal courts located in Dallas County, Texas.

Contact Us

If you have questions about these terms, please contact us: