First actual driver build question.

[Bullzeye94]

So to start off im fairly new to building my own lasers (been tinkering since covid began). Ive owned lasers for many years though so I'm aware of the dangers. I'm attempting to build a laser from a dvd burner diode I'd like to have a potentiometer in the lm317 circuit to power the diode. Would I just use a potentiometer instead of the resistor? or would the potentiometer be in addition to the resistor? Also which resistance potentiometer should I get for a dvd burner diode( the open can style)Any help is appreciated. Thanks.