I won't belabor the point but when you said "addict" you were closer to the truth than you realized.

The sweetener Aspartame/nutrasweet (and a dozen more names for the same toxic poison) is more dangerous and addictive than tobbaco on a short term basis.

Should the nutrasweet beverage ever exceed 90 degrees F prior to injestion the chemicals break down into Formaldehyde.

The FAA has banned the use of these drinks for airline pilots due to the seizure, memory and vision problems they cause but not for the addictive components of Aspartame.

Monstanto has long since sold the patent rights to avoid the coming storm of litigation.

google Aspartame danger if you are in doubt.