Get Me to The Abbey

by Lisa Avelleyra

Get Me to The Abbey unveils alcoholism through the eyes of a stubborn middle-aged Midwesterner who is forced to give up her favorite pastime-drinking. After a week in the hospital, Lisa ends up in treatment at a refurbished Abbey in Iowa where a diverse group of men frame her recovery. Mischief and college basketball relieve the weight of soul-baring testimony. After a month at The Abbey, Lisa adjusts to life without drinking and returns to work and cultivates support in her Alcoholics Anonymous community. She is reunited with her Abbey cohorts by a heartbreaking tragedy.

310 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2023

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get Me to the Abbey by Lisa Avelleyra is a bit different from my various encounters with AA, either through memoirs or attending Al-Anon meetings, in that she is very reluctant to let her higher power be God, and I really liked that. To me, it can often feel trite when talking with AA members and the way they speak about God, the same as when prisoners find God. I am sure there are many that do, but I also feel like many don’t and it’s a crutch or a way to make them feel like they fit in or are good humans.

So it was refreshing to have Avelleyra’s higher power be the beauty in life and the little miracles that she sees throughout the day.

I also really liked that she didn’t play the victim and acknowledged that while alcoholism is a disease, it is also something that she did do and that she needs to take control of her life and recovery. So many alcoholic memoirs seem to be more of the writer wanting pity and barely accepting what they had done.

Avelleyra’s characters really came to life off the page, sure it helps that they are real people, but the way she writes gives them even more realism. You can tell exactly how Avelleyra is feeling and going through and that really made Get Me to the Abbey a fantastic read.

[Tammy Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was ‘all in’ after the first paragraph! People form their own opinions of others without knowing much about them. Your book proves that everyone has a story and we need to give others grace before making any kind of judgment! Of course I was rooting for you from the start, but I also found myself cheering for your new Abbey friends! I literally teared up with hopeful joy as you took me on your journey! Your ability to draw us in and make us feel like a part of what was happening is a testament to your writing ability.

Thank you for being so honest and sharing your life experiences with the rest of us. It was a story of survival, hope, family, friendship and inspiration. Your connection with the Cardinals and their "meaning" resonated with me. We share a love of feeding the birds, visits from deer, and our cats! I know you will touch a lot of others with your book and I wish you much success! I am a fan . . . can’t wait to read what you write next! Congratulations!!!

[Sally Collett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read about a subject (substance abuse) I did not know much about. The author is an excellent writer and her style was very easy to read. It included humor as well as the reality of how this disease affects both men and women. I highly recommend it.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know if I’ve ever rated a memoir less than 5 stars. I feel like I can’t give someone’s story less than a 5. Aside from that, this was an emotional read. Lisa’s experience is completely outside of my bubble. I grew up in a home w/out alcohol and even now, I am only a social drinker having 1 drink maybe 1-2 times a month. I am thankful to have read this book to be given a much bigger picture of the difficulties and emotions surrounding alcoholism and addiction. It is heartbreaking-and not just Lisa, but all of the people’s stories she shared from her inpatient experience at The Abbey. I am familiar with the inpatient mental health experience based on a child of mine, but this was a whole other side of things. I was captivated with Lisa’s story from the get go, and she took me on an emotional roller coaster, and in tears many times. I’m thankful she was willing to share, and I would definitely encourage the read to get a first hand view from someone who is an alcoholic and what that journey of addiction entails. Your compassion is sure to grow.

[Susan A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thoughtfully written memoir grabs you and pulls you in immediately and keeps you going. It is a beautiful story of addiction, treatment and recovery told with honesty, humor, heart, keen observation and hope. Fantastic writing! Lisa, I hope we hear more from you!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartfelt journey Miss Avelleyra took the reader on. The honesty and humor made it hard to put the book down. Lisa's talented writing pulls you into the story. I found myself both cheering and tearing up throughout the memoir. Please keep sharing your gift!

[Jim Dew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a well written autobiographical account of the author's "hitting rock bottom" and nearly dying from her addiction to vodka. With the support and encouragement of her doctors and two sisters, Lisa enters treatment for addiction and mental health for the second time in her life. At The Abbey, a former Catholic Monastery and hotel turned treatment center in eastern Iowa, Lisa is helped by an array of programs and treatments. As an Abbey resident, Lisa learns the importance of seeing addiction as a disease; accepting and admitting her inability to control this disease; and connecting with spirituality and a higher power, while helping and being helped by other Abbey residents.

Throughout the book are Lisa's thoughts, insights, and accounts of social bonding with some of the other residents -- a diverse group of unique, recovering individuals. Having known the author from when she lived in Wisconsin, I was struck by her voice in this work that brought back memories of her distinctive personality and gift of social discourse.

Lisa's stories range from spiritually uplifting and humorous; to sadness and loss, as her fellow addicts face relapse. Her own undying commitment to remain sober and help other addicts is a shift from the descriptions of her previously hidden obsessive cravings and intoxication. While at The Abbey, Lisa revisits and adopts some comforting religious rituals and practices from her Catholic upbringing, while maintaining her staunchly agnostic views of Christianity and her distaste for unfulfilling atheism.

I recommend the book to those interested in reading one individual's story of successful and continuous recovery. Get Me to The Abbey conveys the philosophy of increasing and maintaining health and happiness that addiction and mental health issues undermine; and it shows the role of supportive staff and a positive mileau helpful in healing.

[Lisa Avelleyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished “Get Me to the Abbey” and was very moved by the author’s story of alcohol addiction, hopelessness, recovery, and struggle to find meaning in her treatment and later with the recovery community.

The author, Lisa, is a friend of mine and former boozing buddy. I knew some of the events described and had heard a little about her treatment and recovery. Her personality and wit really shine through in her writing. Even though I pretty much knew how things turned out, I kept wanting to read to find out what she was going through and what she thought of the treatment. Her descriptions of the people and counselors at the Abbey had me laughing at times and shaking my head at how serious things had gotten. It was interesting how she went from the usual post-college drinking to alcoholism; all of which was very thought provoking.

I didn’t know what to expect before reading this. I don’t read addiction memoirs and wondered if it’d be dry, clinical, and depressing. It was the opposite. It was engaging, funny, sad, and uplifting.

This book gave me an understanding of what someone goes through with alcoholism and treatment and did it in a way that made me want to keep reading. It wasn’t preachy or “heavy”, instead, there was plenty of insight, funny observations, and a burgeoning sense of hope that made you want to root for Lisa to make it through her struggle.

If you’ve been through a treatment program, or if you haven’t, if you’re contemplating it, or not, you’ll be engaged by this book and the author’s journey. One of the coolest things about this book is that it can give hope to people struggling with addictions who may not see that there’s a way out. - Tom H

[Hailey Ney · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband bought me this book as he has gotten to know the author very well. I have even met her myself & seeing her today, it is hard to imagine that she was & always will be, an addict. She shares her up close & personal story of struggling with addiction & how she managed to enjoy the little things she once took for granted, build relationships with others, & find her higher power. I also work at UIHC & have been in the Iowa City area for the last 5 years & so it seems more personal coming from someone in your community that describes going places where I have gone & continue to go to this day. It’s a beautiful story about resilience, overcoming, & picking yourself up off the kitchen floor (literally).

[Carmela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book. Sometimes it is hard to read about someone going through a tough time. Ms. Avelleyra’s book is a study in friendships that grow through that difficult time. It is an uplifting book as you see relationships develop and the love between friends. I wish the book had more of her internal dialogue because we all know that sometimes we think what we think without our societal filter. Join her through her journey you will be cheering on your favorite people by the end.

[Norma Lundstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very inspiring book. The author was very brave to share her addiction so honestly. I really got to know her fellow residents and the friendships that were made.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest. Refreshingly Honest.

[Judy Steiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled with rating this book. Author is a good writer and the first half of the book is gripping. The second half dragged a bit and was a bit disturbing. The dragging was due to copy and paste text conversations as well as directions to places— turn left, turn right etc. But most of all I am hoping due to the sensitive nature that names and circumstances were changed (unless permission granted), especially with respect to “Mona” who was not treated well by the author.

[Paula Avelleyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Memoir category I highly recommend the book Get Me To the Abbey by Lisa Avelleyra. If you like laughing out loud and crying while reading I suggest you get your copy. It is a book about family, friendships, hope and redemption. It’s raw, funny and a page turner. It’s not too late for a great summer read!

[Jane Daly Seaberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compelling read for those dealing with addiction, for their companions and for those seeking to understand and support. Kudos and Godspeed, Lisa Avelleyra!! You are an excellent writer. I hope you will continue sharing this gift with us.