Try ecstasy for example without swallowing at first (5)
I believe the answer is:
essay
'try' is the definition.
(essay can mean to try or attempt something)
'ecstasy for example without swallowing at first' is the wordplay.
'ecstasy' becomes 'E' (informal term for the drug).
'for example' becomes 'say' ('say' can be used to introduce an example).
'without' is an insertion indicator ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'at first' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'swallowing' is 's'.
'say' enclosing 's' is 'ssay'.
'e'+'ssay'='ESSAY'
(Other definitions for essay that I've seen before include "Attempt, try" , "Attempt; written piece" , "Short formal piece of writing" , "Attempt - piece of writing" , "School compeosition" .)