I've had a teacher in acoustic guitar since I was
9 (Im 17 so its not like 30 years) and its helped
me enormously in both my acoustic and electric guitar-playing.
I notice on some of my friends, who have learned
without a teacher. Sure they are good, but there are
many things they have missed which makes the guitarplaying
alot more difficult.
Maybe some people think its kind of geeky to have
a teacher, some say its just for beginners.
But thats what you do in every profession, hobby, everything;
You learn from someone who knows more, has more
experience, can spot your mistakes and rectifies them and
so on.
In one way or another, every guitarplayer has had a teacher, so why not have a professional?
Good luck with the guitarplaying!