THOMASVILLE — Coalson Plantation, which sold recently for $2.5 million, will soon house a medical facility for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction, among other conditions.

A precise date for opening of the facility — Sponaugle Wellness Institute at The Coalson Plantation — has not been set, said Rick Sponaugle, M.D.

Sponaugle is founder, chief executive officer and medical director of Florida Detox & Wellness Institute at Tarpon Springs, Fla. His wife, Kimberly, is co-founder and chief operating officer.

Initially, the U.S. 319 South facility will have 60 beds and eventually 150 beds.

“I don’t know how soon,” Dr. Sponaugle said Tuesday. Coalson Wellness Institute will employ 30 to 50 people upon opening.

Sponaugle, a University of Florida graduate, specialized in intensive care and anesthesiology. He is board-certified in anesthesiology and addiction medicine.

“My patients have no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever,” said Sponaugle.

The body experiences a massive surge in adrenaline during detox, Sponaugle said, adding that he controls heart rate and blood pressure during the process.

The Florida facility has patients from Europe, South America, Canada, Africa and throughout the United States.

Nationwide, Sponaugle said 80 percent of people treated for addiction relapse within six months. His facility’s rate is 9 percent.

Sponaugle’s method of treatment addresses dopamine deficiency that results in addiction to alcohol and drugs. Also, he said, more than 40 hormones and brain chemicals cause oversensitive and undersensitive brain activity that leads to alcohol and drug abuse.

“Sometimes I diagnose 18 chemical issues,” Sponaugle explained.

Addiction, Sponaugle said, is a symptom of something else.

The Tarpon Springs facility has treated more than 5,300 patients.

“We’re about brain and body health,” Sponaugle said.

The Wellness Institute provides anti-aging treatment that makes someone between 40 and 50, but who looks 80, appear 15 years younger in several weeks, according to Sponaugle.

Autism and Alzheimer’s also are treated. Weight loss is addressed through the brain’s pleasure center, which doubles as the hunger center, Sponaugle explained.

Some 600 new families from the United States and abroad are introduced into the Tarpon Springs Wellness Institute annually.

Sponaugle said families of patients at Coalson will come here to visit and stay for as long as several weeks. The visitors will stay in local hotels and bed and breakfasts, eat in restaurants and shop.

“It is a gorgeous place. It is so tranquil,” Sponaugle said about Coalson Plantation.

The majority of his patients are professionals, he said. Patients have included school teachers, nurses, physicians, lawyers, celebrities, football players, CEOs, movie stars and single mothers.

“We have a whole variety of people. They all get treated the same,” Sponaugle said.

The Sponaugles are considering moving the Florida operation here.

“We love Thomasville. We have never met so many nice people. We’re thinking that ultimately we’re going to be living there,” Sponaugle said.

The couple has six children — from 12 years old to college age.

Sponaugle was impressed with the number of Thomasville residences with American flags flying on front porches.

He said Thomas County reflects pride in the community, the state and the nation.