How much practice is required to achieve fluency

I am often asked how much practice is required to enable people to overcome their stammer or stutter. When I had this form of speech impediment my main goal in life was to achieve fluency. This was a much higher priority than any educational examination, more important than any sporting success, more important than anything. I would play tennis virtually every night, I would play snooker three times a week and would revise to the maximum when taking any form of examination. I therefore had to put in the same effort, if not more, in my practice and dedication in attempting to eradicate the stutter.

The answer therefore to "how much practice is required?" Is that you should be practicising as much as you possibly can. You should leave no stone unturned in your quest to achieve fluency.

In truth the majority of people do not like to hear this message; some are looking for a magic pill; others are hoping that I will state that they should practice for just an hour a day.

The reality is clear and I always have a question for them; how much do you want fluency? The answer that I normally receive is that "I want it more than anything". If this is the case, I say back to them, then you will work extremely hard, to the maximum possible.