What a weird comment. Yes, the article is mostly talking about how this is a trend that's been building over the last 25 years or so. Most of the specific research it cites is from pre 2020. It's like you are arguing against some imaginary article that claims to be talking about things specific to the last few years when the main point of the article is completely not that.

I mean even the subtitle describes that: "The pandemic played a role in increased consumption, but alcohol use among people 65 and older was climbing even before 2020"