I got through the steps in about 12 months the first time.
13 months in I was diagnosed stage 3 melanoma. I faced a lot of things I never experienced before and went through the steps on them.
ive went through the steps numerous times on different occasions for different things.
I'll add that each time after the 1st time wasn't as thorough as the 1st time. I wasn't dealing with a lifetime of crap but the results were awesome.
now, a lot of people say only 10,11,12 need to be worked all the time, but for me starting at step 1, admitting and accepting im powerless over a person,place,thing, or situation and my life( it might just be my thinking) is going to unmanageability, really gives me inner peace again.
theres times I take my will and my life back, so that's where step 2 and 3 come in.
then onto step 4 to see what character defects/shortcomings are at play.
then give em up
then see if I hurt anyone and fix it.
and continue.