You are missing the point that when you use the LM317 as a high-side current regulator, its ADJ pin is elevated above 0V (Gnd) by the voltage drop across the load resistance (E=I*Rl). The 9018 has other circuitry and inputs that must always be referenced to Gnd, so cannot arbitrarily be floated to the voltage across the load like the three-pin 317 can.
Also the minimum Vdd to Gnd pin voltage is 3V, so even if you could elevate its Gnd pin, the effective minimum DropOut voltage would be higher than a LM317 (3V vs about 2.5V).
You could use it as a low-side current regulator, however, by putting the load Rl in the Vin lead. The current would be V0/Rc, where Rc is tied between Vout and Gnd. This could be used to regulate the current through a 1W LED, for example.